PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in Palawan is set to penalize erring business establishments for delinquency in the mandatory enrollment of their workers, and under remitting and non-payment of contributions.
Marian Carlos, PhilHealth-Palawan member services officer and spokesperson, said Wednesday morning in a PIA-hosted “Kapihan” that these business employers were discovered by their mapping activities to be negligent of their obligations.
“We will now sanction those who are delinquent or non-compliant. We found out there were many, and there were also inactive accounts, or those that really closed. What we will do is just ask the City Licensing Office (CLO) for closure so we can tag them in our system,” Carlos said.
She added that the number of delinquent employers had actually decreased in Palawan, but those who remain delinquent had been identified and would be placed under dispute.
“Last July, we had a forum, and there were really employers who have not remitted payments for years. Some were able to settle, but some actually refused to comply,” she said.
“Based on the guidance of our collection office in the region, we will now give sanction to delinquent employers. In those I am handling, there is one in Coron, and for legal action, around seven employers. In my estimate, they’re less than 50,” she added.
Seeking legal action means the blundering business establishments will be called by PhilHealth to explain their failure to comply. After this, a period will be agreed on when they can settle their arrears.
“If they do not settle within the agreed period of time, then there will be fines and penalties that PhilHealth will impose,” Carlos said.
She also confirmed that PhilHealth is poised to increase its monthly premium in January 2018 to scale up its health programs.
The increase is based on the government health insurance company’s Circular No. 2017-0024 dated last September 11.
Carlos said an increase of 2.75 percent would be imposed, or from PHP250 to PHP275 for employees receiving a PHP10,000 basic salary.
The increase will be shared by both employer and employee. (PNA)
