Good News OFWS: Philhealth and Pag-ibig not MANDATORY ANYMORE!

This is good news to all OFWs. 

We sent an email inquiry to POEA confirming this matter and here is the reply:

PEBA: "Pag kukuha po ba kami ng OEC ngayon starting April 1, MANDATORY pa rin po ba na hahanapan o pababayarin kami ng PHILHEALTH and PAG-IBIG or pwede na makakuha ng OEC lang without paying ng mga ito?"

POEA:  "Yes we are no longer requiring Philhealth and Pag-Ibig contribution payments in the process of securing OECs. The OWWA contribution, however, will still have to be paid."

So it means those who wants to pay only OEC and OWWA will only pay around P1,000 - P1300 in order to SECURE OEC o Balik Manggagawa Certificate


***********

From Philhealth

Starting April 1, vacationing and
re-hired overseas Filipino workers will have to pay their premium contributions
to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) separately from
their payments to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) for
their Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs).

This development is in line with the
decision of the POEA to implement a single collection policy starting on the
same date. The POEA will only be collecting fees for OEC and no longer for
PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG Fund.

image by R. Llanda

The collection counters of
PhilHealth and other government agencies, however, will be retained at POEA in
Mandaluyong City and in the one-stop shops of POEA nationwide.

“We call on our OFW-members to pay
their PhilHealth premium contributions first before going to the POEA for their
OECs. This will secure their social health insurance coverage, as well as that
of their legal dependents, for their peace of mind,” said PhilHealth President and CEO Alexander A. Padilla.

Padilla added that “OFW-members may still pay
their premium contributions at the designated PhilHealth counters at the
Balik-Manggagawa Center at the POEA in Mandaluyong City, as well as through any
of the 27 accredited collecting partners that we have earlier authorized for
local collection from OFW-members. They may also pay at our Local Health
Insurance Offices nationwide.”

Overseas Filipinos pay P2,400.00
annually for their premium contribution to PhilHealth. The amount includes
coverage for all qualified legal dependents of a migrant worker such as legal
spouse who is not a PhilHealth member; legitimate and illegitimate children
below 21 years old, unmarried and unemployed; and parents who are below 60
years old but are suffering from permanent disability which renders them
totally dependent on the member for support.

Parents who are 60 years old and
above and are not yet PhilHealth members may enrol under the Senior Citizen
category.

PhilHealth pays for overseas
hospitalization of migrant workers, as well as for the confinement of their
legal dependents in the Philippines, through a reimbursement mechanism. Migrant
workers have 180 calendar days from the date of discharge to file their claim
documents through any of PhilHealth’s 17 Regional Offices in the Philippines. All
refunds are paid for in Philippine peso equivalent. (END)

PAYMENT OF PREMIUM CONTRIBUTIONS
OF MIGRANT WORKERS 

EFFECTIVE
APRIL 1, 2015 

Starting April 1, vacationing OFWs or balik-manggagawa returning to their
destinations overseas, must proceed to the PhilHealth counters at the POEA
in Ortigas EDSA, Mandaluyong City to pay their premium contributions. 

Upon recent advice by the POEA, payments for Overseas Employment
Certificates (OECs) will no longer include PhilHealth premium contributions.
To avoid the long queue, OFWs should pay their PhilHealth premiums first
before going to POEA to get their OECs.
Premium payments may be made at designated PhilHealth Counters at
the Balik-Manggagawa Center, or through any of our accredited collecting
partners nationwide. 

The list of ACAs authorized to collect OFW premium
contributions can be found on www.philhealth.gov.ph/advisories/2014/
adv12-03-2014.pdf.
Further inquiries regarding this matter may be referred to the Overseas
Filipinos Program Office at (+63917) 5129149, (+632) 441-7444 ext. 7416
or through ofp@philhealth.gov.ph. 

by ALEXANDER A. PADILLA

Philhealth President

©2014 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

Global OFW Voices Position Statement on Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) Circular No. 22 Series of 2011

WE CRY FOUL to PHILHEALTH’S plan of implementing an increase in premium payment for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from PhP 900 to PhP1,2000 then PhP 2,400 effective Jan 1, 2014!  

Who are we and why do we need to introduce ourselves?

We are a nation of approximately 10 million OFWs (11% of the 92 million Filipinos) scattered all over the different continents with a saga about our struggle for empowerment and recognition.  We believe that OFW empowerment and recognition will only be realized through a collective effort among our ranks, thus, we have connected together through the different social media platforms to voice out our sentiments and beliefs on issues that affect us, our families and our loved ones.  We represent OFWs from 67 different countries who have bonded together to call ourselves the Global OFW Voices. Our voices echoed the boundless corners of Social Media, together; we raised our arms to declare our utmost disappointment with the government for treating our sector as “milking cows” to finance the current administration’s political agenda to implement a flawed Universal Health Insurance strategy under the disguise of solidarity.

OUR CALL

We call on the President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Benigno “Noynoy” C. Aquino, together with his appointees to the Board of PhilHealth headed by Secretary Enrique T. Ona and Mr. Alexander Padilla to please carefully consider this impending hike as this will definitely undermine the mandate of your offices.

We knocked on your doors, using the power of Social Media.

WE STRONGLY OPPOSE THE INCREASE AND PLEAD PHILHEALTH TO ABANDON THIS PLAN!

The OFWs have already provided the Philippine economy the stability it desperately needs; we have provided our families their food and kept them in school so our next generation of Filipinos will be healthy and educated. We found ourselves a job abroad because our government is unable to create jobs in our home land. Even the strengthening of peso is wounding us, it epitomizes our contribution to our nation building brought by our dollar remittances. You even called us “Bagong Bayani”! Is this how our nation treats their ‘bayani’?

Do you still find this contribution to the national coffers insufficient? Hindi pa din po ba sapat ang mahigit sa P18 Bilyong Remittances kada taon na bunga ng aming pagtitiis, paghihirap, at minsan pagbubuwis ng sariling buhay? We believe that despite the emerging markets slump, the euro zone continuous struggle, and the slowdown in the economies of the BRIC countries, feared to drag down the global economy, the Philippine economy continues to surge surpassing IMF’s forecast growth of 3.5% for 2012. We believe that the money sent as remittances by 10 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) which account for about 10% of the country’s GDP, serve as one of the long-term stabilizers, and is relatively unhindered by a sagging global economy.

We oppose the hike because it is not morally acceptable to put additional burden to our yoke! Mga Ginoo, ibinuwis na ng iba sa amin ang buhay mapunan lang ang hindi kayang ibigay ng gobyerno, ang magkaroon ng trabaho. Then you will tell us 3.50/day is nothing to the benefits we will get? 

Did Philhealth consult us OFWs? You said yes. How? When? Did you consider the overall impact to this to our sector? Consult our Facebook pages, those voices are not faceless, we use Facebook to keep us sane, we used it so that you will see the very soul of our sentiment.

We were under the impression that we are protected by RA 10022 which “prohibits increase of government fees imposed to OFWs” then suddenly, Philhealth starts to slap us all with technicalities that “premium” is not “fees”. Seriously? 

We were paying Php 900 then you increased it this year to 1,200 without due consultation with the general OFW stakeholders. You shoved that increase down our throat, and then did you realize that you can abuse us further so few months from implementing the hike, you swiftly decided that you would slap us again with over 100% increase to Php 2,400! Wala na ba talaga kayong awa?

We are not against your Universal Health Plan, as a matter of fact we like its objectives. We believe that it is the prime duty and goal of the government in keeping Filipinos in good health with the implementation of the Universal Health Care or Kalusugan Pangkalahatan Program which aims to ensure the availability, accessibility, affordability and quality of all the necessary health services for all Filipinos—whether rich or poor.

We support the Program’s aims to provide the highest possible quality of health care that is accessible, efficient, equitably distributed, adequately funded and fairly financed while appropriately used by an informed and empowered public. We believe and support the Program’s objectives of providing poor citizens with solidarity health insurance through the state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) where the government helps the marginalized and impoverished people in the society. We believe that in order for the Program to succeed, the government should be able to provide adequate resources—health human resources, health facilities, and health financing.

What we are against is the government’s abusive and inconsiderate direction to have the OFWs shoulder the additional funds that will sustain the current administration’s political agenda. We are just workers abroad. When we go back home during our vacation, we would like to be with our families where we need money to enjoy our limited time and we use our hard earned money for our needs, money which we do not have enough most of the time. Increasing that fee or premium (whatever you may want to call it) is a total manifestation of your lack of regard to those who enslave themselves in return for a meager salary.

We demand that Philhealth coverage becomes optional to OFWs

We never denied that some of the OFWs benefit from PhilHealth through their dependents. However, majority of us are already under a better insurance coverage provided by our employers. This is the perfect time to revisit your policy regarding OFWs. Do not insist on your premise of solidarity, excuse us Sirs, we make our nation’s economy afloat. Let us know if that is not enough.

A significant number of OFWs have no “eligible” dependents because they are single, with parents under 60 years of age. They have no use for it, how can your conscience allow you to live your life thinking that these OFWs are not using it, the government has a mandate to care for the Filipino people, we are already suffering to help our nation survive the global financial crisis, don’t pass everything to us!

We stand firm that this increase is unjust, wrong and morally unacceptable. Your leadership, Mr. President should re-examine PhilHealth’s mandatory collection of premium as majority of the OFWs do not directly benefit from it. Our task is to love our country and we are already keeping our nation standing economically, it is extremely abusive to extort the overseas workers!

The OFWs through the Facebook group of Global Voices and Pinoy Expats/OFW Blogs Awards, Inc. will not stop in making this plea – NO TO PHILHEALTH INCREASE! YES TO OPTIONAL MEMBERSHIP.

Once again, Mr. President and the PhilHealth Board, do not keep us groping in the dark, for we too are part of the Philippines!

©2012 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

click here to comment… for bloggers

OFWs LAUNCH GLOBAL SOCIAL MEDIA PROTEST TO STOP PHILHEALTH INCREASE

OFWs LAUNCH GLOBAL WEBWIDE PROTEST TO STOP PHILHEALTH PREMIUM INCREASE

From ABS-CBN NEWS, 

BLOGWATCH NEWS

MORE THAN 139 PHOTOS

OFWs LAUNCH GLOBAL WEBWIDE PROTEST TO STOP PHILHEALTH PREMIUM INCREASE

JULY 20, 2012 – Overseas Filipino Workers will use Facebook and Twitter to protest the impending plan of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) to increase its premium. Dubbed as Global Webwide Protest to Stop Philhealth Increase which will run from July 20 – 25, 2012 in different social media platforms, the online protest was initiated by Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards founding president Kenji Solis who is based in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has now adherents from 67 countries majority are OFWs from the Middle East or Gulf countries, followed by Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Philhealth Board recently issued Circular No.022 imposing a 150% hike in health premium for OFW members from PhP 900 to become P2, 400; OFWs find this increase extremely exorbitant and inconsiderate because not many of OFWs were consulted. Through its Facebook page Global OFW Voices - the voices of more than 10,000 OFWs, is being mobilized to stage synchronize protest on the different social media platforms of Philhealth, government officials including the President PNOY and other government agencies to air a unified message against the increase.

OFWs globally plead to stop and immediately implement a moratorium on imposing the increase until a comprehensive and genuine consultation with most OFWs and other stakeholders have been conducted. The government has to consider the mobile or transient nature of OFWs, and recognize their unique circumstances where majorities do not directly benefit from the insurance since most of them are already provided with far better and superior health insurances by their companies. In particular, Philhealth should be more sympathetic on OFWs who are earning meager salary like domestic helpers, laborers, janitors, food servers, or those categorized as unskilled workers who find the increase as an added burden to pay before they leave abroad. The said increase is a direct violation of RA 10022, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995 that “prohibits increase in government fees for services rendered to OFWs and their dependents.”

It is unfair for OFWs to be treated as revenue mill or as OFWs consider themselves as government’s milking cow. With their dollar remittances that keep the Philippine economy afloat including the strengthening of peso against the dollar, it is unfortunate that the government continue to levy additional fees on this sector. Although OFWs do not oppose government’s plan to provide universal health insurance to the poor, it is immoral to use solidarity to burden the already suffering workers overseas.

The group calls for a comprehensive discussion with Philhealth and other government agencies to agree on an equitable premium among OFWs and stop the increase until a mutual agreement has been reached.

For more information on this protest, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/events/499223546758755/
https://www.facebook.com/PEBAWARDS
http://twitter.com/pebawards
https://www.facebook.com/OFWVOICE


**********************


For more information, please contact the following Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, Inc. regional coordinators:


Manila, Philippines:
Pete Erlano Rahon | Director Philippine Operations
peterahon@pinoyblogawards.com | +63917.733.7152

Europe, Middle East & Africa:
Kenji Solis | Founding Chairman
kenjebz@pinoyblogawards.com | +966.54648.1154

Australia, East Asia Pacific:
Brenda Pinosan | Asia Pacific Coordinator
brenda.pinosan@gmail.com | Tel. +6012.692.9710

North America & Canada:
F. Jigs Segre | Director Global Advocacy & Strategic Initiatives
jigsegre@pinoyblogawards.com | Tel. +1510.589.2950

©2012 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

click here to comment… for bloggers

OFWs launch global protest vs PhilHealth premium hike

From ABS-CBN NEWS, 

MORE THAN 139 PHOTOS

OFWs LAUNCH GLOBAL WEBWIDE PROTEST TO STOP PHILHEALTH PREMIUM INCREASE

JULY 20, 2012 – Overseas Filipino Workers will use Facebook and Twitter to protest the impending plan of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth) to increase its premium. Dubbed as Global Webwide Protest to Stop Philhealth Increase which will run from July 20 – 25, 2012 in different social media platforms, the online protest was initiated by Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards founding president Kenji Solis who is based in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has now adherents from 67 countries majority are OFWs from the Middle East or Gulf countries, followed by Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Philhealth Board recently issued Circular No.022 imposing a 150% hike in health premium for OFW members from PhP 900 to become P2, 400; OFWs find this increase extremely exorbitant and inconsiderate because not many of OFWs were consulted. Through its Facebook page Global OFW Voices - the voices of more than 10,000 OFWs, is being mobilized to stage synchronize protest on the different social media platforms of Philhealth, government officials including the President PNOY and other government agencies to air a unified message against the increase.

OFWs globally plead to stop and immediately implement a moratorium on imposing the increase until a comprehensive and genuine consultation with most OFWs and other stakeholders have been conducted. The government has to consider the mobile or transient nature of OFWs, and recognize their unique circumstances where majorities do not directly benefit from the insurance since most of them are already provided with far better and superior health insurances by their companies. In particular, Philhealth should be more sympathetic on OFWs who are earning meager salary like domestic helpers, laborers, janitors, food servers, or those categorized as unskilled workers who find the increase as an added burden to pay before they leave abroad. The said increase is a direct violation of RA 10022, otherwise known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act of 1995 that “prohibits increase in government fees for services rendered to OFWs and their dependents.”

It is unfair for OFWs to be treated as revenue mill or as OFWs consider themselves as government’s milking cow. With their dollar remittances that keep the Philippine economy afloat including the strengthening of peso against the dollar, it is unfortunate that the government continue to levy additional fees on this sector. Although OFWs do not oppose government’s plan to provide universal health insurance to the poor, it is immoral to use solidarity to burden the already suffering workers overseas.

The group calls for a comprehensive discussion with Philhealth and other government agencies to agree on an equitable premium among OFWs and stop the increase until a mutual agreement has been reached.

For more information on this protest, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/events/499223546758755/
https://www.facebook.com/PEBAWARDS
http://twitter.com/pebawards
https://www.facebook.com/OFWVOICE


**********************


For more information, please contact the following Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards, Inc. regional coordinators:


Manila, Philippines:
Pete Erlano Rahon | Director Philippine Operations
peterahon@pinoyblogawards.com | +63917.733.7152

Europe, Middle East & Africa:
Kenji Solis | Founding Chairman
kenjebz@pinoyblogawards.com | +966.54648.1154

Australia, East Asia Pacific:
Brenda Pinosan | Asia Pacific Coordinator
brenda.pinosan@gmail.com | Tel. +6012.692.9710

North America & Canada:
F. Jigs Segre | Director Global Advocacy & Strategic Initiatives
jigsegre@pinoyblogawards.com | Tel. +1510.589.2950

©2012 THOUGHTSKOTO

Dhors Marquez, Philhealth at ang mga OFW

Sasagutin ko lang po ang blog mo na naipost sa blog ng Definitely Filipino, screenshot below entitled

“NO to Philhealth Increase!…Sigaw Ng Mga OFW? Wait lang Hindi raw nila ito napakikinabangan?”

Ang blog niyo po ay nakaitalics at ang aking sagot at reaction ay nakahighlight sa blue color.

Hinde ako against sa panawagan nila dahil karapatan natin lahat na isiwalat anuman ang ating nararamdaman at opinion, lalo na kung sa isip natin ay lubos itong nakakaapekto o dagdag-pahirap para sa mga OFW at para sa pamilya nito na naiwan sa Pilipinas ( OFW din po ang aking asawa). 

Nabigla ako nung malaman ko na OFW ang asawa mo. Mas nakakabigla sa title ng blog mo. Hayaan mo akong isa-isahin natin at paghihimayin ang bahagi ng iyong post.

Pero ako iba ang sigaw ko;

“Salamat sa Philhealth Pamilya ko ay Natulungan nito nang maraming beses”. 

I am not against Philhealth and sa benefits na naidudulot nito sa mga OFW at kababayan natin na may sakit at nagkakasakit. Naniniwala ako na kailangan ng ating bansa ang maayos na healthcare system. Bilang mga OFW sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo, alam namin kung anong maayos na sistema, at marami tayong mga OFW na professionals na makakatulong sa bansa kung may malinaw at matapat na adhikain ang gobyerno. I am also aware na may mga OFW na nakinabang din at nakikinabang sa Philhealth katulad mo.

Calling Philhealth office, dapat siguro isama ninyo ito sa PDOS dahil mukhang dito kayo nagkulang kaya marami ang nagsasabi na hindi naman nila ito napakikinabangan.  

ISAMA sa PDOS ang Philhealth? Doon pa lang maniningil na? Doon magbebenta ng libro para ipaalam sa mga OFW ang mga benepisyo nito? Patuloy akong naniniwala na ang PDOS ay pagandahan ng nakakatawang kwento, at pagandahan ng serbisyo ng bangko. Mas mabuti pang magbasa ka ng blog ng mga OFW bloggers kung saan ka papunta, mas marami ka pang malalaman kaysa sa PDOS.

Pero para sa pahapyaw na kaalaman; ang mga OFW’s na mayroon payment na 120 months at dumating sa retirement period na, automatic ay mayroon na kayong lifetime membership na puwede ninyong magamit kapag napagod na kayo sa pagiging OFW.

Klaruhin natin ito ha, ang OFW na 10 years na nagbabayad kada taon at 60 YEARS OLD na ay magiging LIFETIME MEMBER.

Individually Paying Members, including SSS self-employed and voluntary members, who continued paying premiums to PhilHealth, have reached 60 years old and have met the required 120 monthly premiums as provided for by law;

http://www.philhealth.gov.ph/members/lifetime/member.html

So kung nag-abroad ka ng 25 ka, at umuwi ka after 10 years, 35 years old ka na, maghintay ka ng 25 years bago ka maging LIFETIME MEMBER. Tama ba? Kung magkakasakit ka at nasa Pinas ka at hindi ka nakapagbayad ngayong taon at 36 years old ka, goodbye, wala ka nang benefits! Tama po ba?

Kapag nandito na kayo sa Pilipinas at mayroon nang mga rayuma na lumala at me Diabetes na dahil sa sarap ng “dates” or chocolates at ice cream na madalas pagbuntunan ninyo ng inyong depression at pagka-homesick.  

Para sa akin hindi po maganda ito. I feel pain for those depressed and OFWs who are battling homesickness. Para sa akin, isang panlalait ito sa mga milyon-milyong kababayan natin na nawala’y sa pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay pati na ang iyong asawa. This is a thoughtless, insensitive phrase para ipukol sa mga OFWs na hindi lang nagtitiis sa pagod, bagkus sometimes they are even verbally and physically abused kapalit ng katuparan ng mga pangarap, mabigyan ng maayos na kinabukasan ang mga anak at ginhawa ang mga mahal sa buhay. This is the line that you should have consulted your husband kung tama bang linya kapalit ng mga luhang hindi mo naranasan o nakita sapagkat HINDI ka NAGING OFW!

Parang SSS din iyan na kapag naka 120 months ka ng hulog ay automatic na mayroon kang pension at the age of 60.  OO, tama iyang mga nababasa mo na iyan.  At marami pa! Umpisahan natin sa actual na experience ko bilang member, kasama  ng aking asawa na OFW.

Knock, knock…buksan po muna ang inyong isip at alamin ang mga detalye.

Who’s there? OFW wife who? Binuksan niyo po muna sana ang inyong isipan at inalam ang buhay at sitwasyon ng mga OFW. I feel like you’re out of touch pagdating sa life namin. How ironic that you are a wife of an OFW!

Sa aking sariling opinion,  alam ko na marami ang magre- react at  baka mabato pa ako ng masasakit o maaanghang na salita (pati na pagmumura, pero okey lang tatanggapin ko dahil mayroon lang akong gustong ipaunawa at dagdag information na din kung ito ay inyong bibigyang-pansin), kaya please lang po sana bigyan ninyo ng kaunting oras ang blog na ito na aking pinagpuyatan para lamang makapaghatid ng saloobin ko sa lahat at maibahagi ito sa inyong mga kapamilya, kaibigan, magulang at sa lahat ng mga hindi pa lubos na nauunawaan kung ano ba talaga ang layunin ng Philhealth sa ating buhay pang araw araw.

This is my blog reaction. And though part of the reactions here are on the negative side, I am also grateful for taking the time to compile the info’s and suggestions you provided.

Nalulungkot ako sa aking mga nababasa na tulad nito: (kaya ako nagdesisyon na iparating sa inyo ang kalinawan)

1. Dagdag pahirap na singil para sa aming mga OFW, hindi naman kami nakikinabang.

2. Hindi totoo yan na pakikinabangan; ang totoo kukurakutin lang ng gobyerno iyan.

At marami pa, na hindi ko na puwedeng isa-isahin dahil hahaba masyado ang blog na ito.  Sobra lang akong nalulungkot.  Hindi dahil sa increase,  kundi dahil sa aking palagay, marami ang hindi pa nakararanas na mapakinabangan ang kanilang membership fee o iyong mga ibinabayad nila sa POEA (makikita po ito sa resibo : Philhealth P1200) bago pa man sila umalis bilang OFW. 

“At marami pa, na hindi ko na puwedeng isa-isahin dahil hahaba masyado ang blog na ito.  Sobra lang akong nalulungkot.  Hindi dahil sa increase,  kundi dahil sa aking palagay, marami ang hindi pa nakararanas na mapakinabangan ang kanilang membership fee o iyong mga ibinabayad nila sa POEA”

I highlighted that. Ikaw na mismo ang sumagot sa sarili mong bibig lumabas na marami ngang OFW ang hindi nakikinabang sa Philhealth. Ikaw mismo ang sumagot niyan

Isa din ako sa member ng Philhealth (locally).  At lahat ng mga empleyado ko ay member ng Philhealth, aside sa Philhealth member kami lahat, mayroon pang health provider ang kompanya.  At salamat dahil nauso ang Philhealth at ang mga Health provider or Health Insurance lalo na sa panahon ngayon.

Ibig sabihin may mga empleyado ka. Anong negosyo mo Ms. Dhors? May mga empleyado ka, ibig sabihin hindi ka isang ordinaryong miyembro ng Philhealth. Employer ka! That says a lot! Ibig sabihin hindi mo nararamdaman ang tunay na saloobin ng mga OFW. Ibig sabihin bago ka nagpost ng blog mo, hindi ka lubos na nagbasa ng mga tunay na hinaing ng mga OFW.

Hayaan mong sagutin ko ang dalawang quote mo sa itaas sa mga hinaing ng mga OFW.

1. Dagdag pahirap na singil para sa aming mga OFW, hindi naman kami nakikinabang.

Do you know how many OFWs are singles? Their parents must be 60 years old before they will become their dependents. They have a much better health insurance as part of their contract from their employers.

Do you know how many OFW families are living abroad? They pay Philhealth, and they have better insurance provided to them by their employers.

Alam mo ba kung ilan according sa survey ang OFW na hindi nakinabang kahit kailan sa Philhealth, maging ang kanilang dependent sa Pilipinas? 8 sa bawat 10 OFW ang HINDI NAKINABANG SA PHILHEALTH.

Magkano ang nirefund sayo ng Philhealth? Matiyaga kang magprocess at magpabalik-balik or baka mga tauhan mo ang nagproprocess pero ang isang OFW, 30 days lang ang bakasyon niyan, katakot takot na papeles pa ang requirements.

2. Hindi totoo yan na pakikinabangan; ang totoo kukurakutin lang ng gobyerno iyan.

Any news about the P114M Philhealth funds that was stolen by the ‘syndicate’? Any news about the P110B Philhealth funds in 2010? If there are 10M OFWs around the world, and we are paying everytime we come home, why Philhealth have only 2.52M OFW members? Where are the other 7.48M OFWs? What happened if there are 8 OFWs na HINDI nakinabang ng kanilang Philhealth, saan napupunta ang pera ng mga OFWs na MANDATORY na sinisingil bago makakuha ng OEC? Hindi mo maiwasan na ang mga OFW ay magsabi ng ganyan. Dala na, manhid na ang OFW sa corruption culture ng bansa. Bawat ahensiya ng gobyerno na may sinisingil na mandatory sa mga OFW, may mga issue ng corruption. Hindi mo maiwasan na sabihin ng bawat OFW na kinukurakot lang, harap-harapan, bago ka makalabas ng NAIA para kang naholdap sa bayaran.

‘Hindi man kayo makikinabang na mga members dahil nasa abroad kayo, pero ang pamilya na naiwan ninyo ang puwedeng makinabang, at kayo na din dahil maiiwasan ninyo ang mangutang nang napakalaki dahil walang pera ang naiwan ninyo sa Pilipinas”.

At kayo na mga OFW, habang nandito kayo sa Pilipinas at nakabakasyon at sa hindi inaasahan ay nagkasakit at wala na ding pera, ngayon ninyo mapakikinabangan ang binabayad ninyo sa Philhealth.

Again, isa na namang insensitive line “walang pera ang naiwan ninyo sa Pilipinas”.
I hope you will find time to edit those lines. I appreciate your desire na makatulong na maunawaan ng mga OFWs ang Philhealth. Nagbabayad kami kahit di namin naunawaan. Pero ang sinisigaw namin is bawal sa batas na magtaas ng mga bayaran ng OFW, bakit sa dalawang taon, sunod-sunod na nagtaas ang Philhealth?

Please blog about that also if you want to help the OFWs. 

Image from www.facebook.com/ofwvoice

My plead sa mga kabayan natin, this Philhealth issue is a sensitive topic sa mga OFWs. Wag tayong putak ng putak na hindi sinasaktan yung damdamin ng karamihan. May mga nakikinabang dito, pero iilan lang. Ang ayaw namin ay hindi na nga napapakinabangan ito, panay-panay pa ang increase mula P900, naging P1,200 at sa susunod na taon, doble, P2,400. Wala naman problema sa Philhealth na bayaran. Kung gusto niyo gawin niyong OPTIONAL hindi yung wala na ngang pakinabang sa karamihang OFW dahil may mga kanya-kanyang healthcard naman kami dito sa bansang pinagtratrabahuan, bakit kung magtaas pa walang pakundangan naman at parang SINASAMPAL sa mukha ng bawat OFWs na paalis ng bansa ang MANDATORY fee!  

Image from www.facebook.com/ofwvoice

©2012 THOUGHTSKOTO

Dear Philhealth, Sorry But We Are Not Partners

First and foremost, welcome to my humble home. I welcomed here Representative Trisha Bonoan-David, the Vice President Jejomar Binay, and even you the first time around. Do you still remember when you flirted with your P300 increase from the P900.00 fees making our fees starting January 2012 to P1,200? Wala akong nagawa nun kasi December, busy ako sa vacation.

May mga taong mahilig sa 50, mahilig ako sa sampu, so here are the 10 things I want you to know in case you really don't know. Sit back. Relax. Let's have a heart to heart talk. I will try not to be confrontational. This is my blog, but I am giving you in the comment section below the chance to answer my questions, and to explain your side. 

1. There is a raging debate going on. Ayaw ko ng salitang mandatory, compulsory, and requirement. Most of the people especially OFWs wanted to have an OPTIONAL membership in Philhealth. I was in favor of that proposal then. I changed my mind. I understand na sa OFW funds niyo kinukuha ang malaking budget para gamitin sa healthcare system ng bayan. Kaya nga sapilitan kaming magbayad kasi kailangan kami ng bayan para tulungan ang mga nagkakasakit, at gamutin ang mga hirap at hindi makaafford magpagamot. Now, I get it. We are 'Bagong Bayani". We send dollars, we feed our families, we send our kids to schools, and we help the government take care of the nation.

2. For many years, I paid P900 everytime I come home. Well, 8 years to be exact. Wala akong reklamo. Di ko nga naintindihan yan. Wala nga akong ID. Di ko nga alam ang ID number ko, meron ba sa OEC? Saan ko makikita yan? Bigla kang nagtaas. P300, so naging P1,200. Umangal ako nun. Pero dahil OFW ako, kelangan kong makalabas ng bansa para kumita. 

3. Isang taon lang ang lumipas, sa susunod na January 01, 2013 (and January 2014) kelangan kong magbayad kada taon ng P2,400 para makaalis ng bansa, mandatory bago mabigyan ng OEC. Dito tayo hindi nagkaintindihan. Saan ka nakakita ng kumpanya or negosyante na tumaas ng 100% ng kanilang paninda or bayarin? 

4. Bilangin natin ang perang nakukuha ng Philhealth sa OFWs. 10M x 1,200 = P12,000,000,000 (P12B)

magiging P24,000,000,000 (P24B) yan. Bilyong pera ang pinag-uusapan natin. Ilabas niyo po kung sa 10M na OFW sa buong mundo, ilang OFW ang nakinabang ng Philhealth pati mga dependents nila sa isang taon. Sa informal survey na ginawa online, 2-3 sa sampung OFW or dependents nila ang nakinabang ng benepisyo. Why imposed a 100% increase.

5. Ako, kasama ng aking small family ay magkakasama dito sa abroad. Nagbabayad ako ng Philhealth pero ni minsan hindi ko nagamit ito. At meron akong health insurance, pati ang aking 8 buwan na anak na bunso, may health card. Nanganak ang misis ko, wala akong binayaran dito kahit piso. Bakit ako gagamit ng Philhealth na pahirapan sa pagfill up ng form at pagparefund? 

 6.  Ayusin natin ang dependents scheme. Paano ang mga single na wala pang 60 ang kanilang mga magulang kasi hindi pwede mga kapatid as dependents. Paano ang mag-asawa na nagtratrabaho sa abroad, at ang mga anak ay more than 21 years old na. Paano ang couple na parehong OFW, bakit pareho silang magbabayad?

7. Ang OWWA ba ay healthcare system or mabibigyan ka lang ng benefit kung tigok ka na? Kung ang OWWA ay healthcare, ano ang silbi nito kung merong Philhealth? Kung kelangan mapaayos ang serbisyo sa OFW at mga pamilya nila na naiwan sa Pinas, bakit walang ibang choice na healthcare providers?

8. If nagbayad ako ng sampung taon, ni minsan hindi ko ito nagamit, umuwi ako ng Pinas, inabot ako ng pang11th year, nagkasakit at hindi ako nakapagbayad, wala na akong coverage!  Wala bang option na pwede mo makuha after how many years kung hindi mo nagamit?

9. Bakit hindi natin bigyan ng maayos na benefits ang mga OFW. Minsan lang sa isang taon o dalawang taon kami umuuwi. Bakit hindi natin eextend ang service sa Free or 20% fee para sa regular check-up? Bakit kelangan ko muna maadmit pati mga dependents ko, bago ko magamit ang service?

10. Since abroad kami, bakit kelangan pa ipadala ang mga forms dito sa abroad, pipirmahan ko, tapos ipapadala na naman sa Pinas, tapos maghihintay ng halos 6 months bago ang refund? Why not establish a system na easier on our part? Sa bilyon-bilyong pera nakukuha niyo sa mga OFW kada taon, kadalasan pa nito hindi nagagamit ang Philhealth kasi may mga health card and insurance as required of our host countries labor laws, bakit di niyo ipunin ang mga pinakamagaling na mga IT na Pinoy at gumawa ng program at system para maenhance ang service? This goes to OWWA as well.

I am sorry. After enumerating the 10 points above, I believe we are not partners in health. Partners mutually benefit from each other. I see a one sided relationship here. Before you ask for a 100% increase, make your service better first. It's a shame because, me and speaking of other OFWs, we came from Europe, North America and Canada, Asia and the Pacific and even Middle East, where healthcare system is much better so don't impose through Philhealth Circular 007 series of 2012 that you want to increase our fees.

You can see how my sentiments mirror many others. In a matter of 8 hours, this call not to implement the increase generated 14,500 SHARES multiply that with at least 300 friends of the sharer, and we are talking around 4,350,000 views, (4.35M). OFWs are tired and sick of the many payments here and there. Before it was fine, nobody complained, now, it not the case anymore. OFWs, 90% of them use internet as a means to communicate with families are into social media, blogs, twitter and Facebook. Sabi nga kanina,

Ang rally for a cause is wala na sa kalsada, kundi through sharing sa Social Media. Let's see if makakaabot sa inyo. Let's see if makikinig kayo.

I issue a challenge to the Presidential Adviser on OFW Affairs VP Jejomar Binay, and the Congress and Senate. Who is brave and a true leader enough to look into this matter seriously? Here are your people, numbering by the millions, OFWs 10M or more, asking you to STOP this mandatory increase for Philhealth Fees. You can read their voices here.

©2012 THOUGHTSKOTO

Philhealth Circular 007 Series of 2012

Below is a copy of the Philhealth Memorandum Circular 007 Series of 2012 detailing that effective January 2013, all OFWs are required to pay a compulsory P2,400.00 from the initial P1,200.

We want you to know this is already approved by the Board and we are against the implementation of this Circular 007.

Below is the full copy of the Circular.



BELOW is our call to all OFWs to support our cause.

©2012 Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards

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