ILOILO City – In a landmark move toward more equitable access to healthcare, the Iloilo City Government has committed to providing PhilHealth coverage to some 4,500 job order and contract-of-service (COS) workers, a sector long excluded from traditional employment benefits.
Mayor Jerry Treñas signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) on June 16, signaling the city’s formal entry into the Group Enrollment Program.
Effective July 1, all job hires and COS workers under the city government are now covered by social health insurance, in accordance with the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
“This is a big help for our job order and contract service workers. They can access PhilHealth benefits just like our regular employees,” said Treñas. “We are taking steps to make healthcare more inclusive and responsive.”
The city government will shoulder the deduction and full remittance of monthly contributions from non-regular employees, many of whom serve in roles such as traffic enforcers, street sweepers, market aides, and slaughterhouse workers. Even their qualified dependents will benefit under the scheme.
“Let’s say the minimum contribution is ₱25. Multiply that by 4,000 workers, that’s ₱100,000. Then multiply by 20 working days, and we’re looking at around ₱2 million per month funded by the city,” Treñas added, emphasizing the program’s long-term value to public health.
PhilHealth Acting Regional Vice President Lazaro Tabsing and Field Operations Division Chief Junie Sabusap signed on behalf of the national insurer. City Administrator Melchor U. Tan witnessed the agreement.
The initiative is anchored on PhilHealth Circular No. 2017-008 and Board Resolution No. 2133, series of 2016, mandating that all individuals rendering services to government institutions — regardless of employment status — must be enrolled in the national health insurance program.
Aside from financial contributions, the city government is tasked with facilitating registration, educating workers on their rights and benefits, and ensuring compliance with UHC premium standards./PN
