QuestionsQuestions (PHIC PHILHEALTH CIRCULAR NO. 08, S. 2003)
The circular cites the 1987 Constitution, Article XIII, Section 11 (state’s integrated and comprehensive approach to health development) and relies on R.A. 7875, which instituted the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). It also references the DILG-PhilHealth MOU and DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2002-66 for enrolling barangay officials, personnel, and volunteers.
The circular expressly covers: (1) Punong Barangay; (2) Seven (7) Sangguniang Barangay Members; (3) Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson; (4) Barangay Secretary; and (5) Barangay Treasurer.
Yes. The circular includes Lupong Tagapamayapa. It ties inclusion to Section 387 of the LGC (which recognizes Lupong Tagapamayapa) and Section 393 of the LGC (barangay officials including members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa may receive honoraria/allowances authorized by law or ordinance).
It invokes Section 2(d) of R.A. 8291 (New GSIS Act), defining an employee as any person receiving compensation whether by election or appointment, including sanggunian and barangay officials. It also cites Rule 1, Section 1 of the IRR of R.A. 6713 covering all officials and employees in the government, elective or appointive, permanent or temporary, whether or not they receive compensation regardless of amount.
Besides barangay officials and Lupong Tagapamayapa, the circular covers (a) Barangay Tanod Brigades and (b) Other Barangay Volunteers.
The circular provides that Barangay Officials, Lupong Tagapamayapa, Barangay Tanods, and Volunteers are covered under the “Medicare for the Employed Government Sector,” with the barangay as LGU-employer.
It states that those receiving income less than P3,500 are covered under the “Medicare for the Employed as Bracket 1” in the approved NHIP Monthly Premium Contribution Schedule for the formal sector; those receiving income of P3,500 and above pay the corresponding counterpart in Annex A.
The P3,500 is a current income ceiling used to determine bracket classification for premium contribution. The circular states this ceiling is subject to changes prescribed by the PhilHealth Board.
The barangay (LGU) must inform PhilHealth of its intention to adopt the NHIP through passage of an ordinance specifying the allocation of funds for enrollment using barangay funds.
If not yet registered with PhilHealth, members accomplish M1a (Member Data Record) in duplicate copies. If already registered in other sectors (Individually Paying and Non-Paying) with an existing PIN, they accomplish M2 (Member Amendment Form) in duplicate copies to request change of sector and update data as needed.
It states that those who were classified as Non-Paying prior to serving the barangay shall remain classified under that sector (i.e., they do not automatically switch to the formal/employed sector classification due to barangay service).
ER1 (Employer Data Record) is accomplished by the barangay as employer or its authorized representative only if the barangay is not yet registered with PhilHealth.
ER2 (Report of Employee Members) enumerates and certifies the employees included in the submitted M1a forms. The barangay accomplishes ER2 in duplicate copies, and it must be signed by the Punong Barangay or its duly authorized representative.
For the formal sector, premium payment is shared by the barangay (employer counterpart sourced from barangay funds) and the barangay official/personnel (employee counterpart). The barangay may opt to shoulder the entire premium only if expressly provided in a barangay ordinance.
The LGU-employer must regularly remit the total monthly premium contribution through accredited banks, with the deadline on the 10th day following the applicable month.
The barangay must submit a quarterly report of program implementation (Quarterly PhilHealth Monitoring Report Form) to the DILG National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO), copy furnish the PhilHealth Regional Office, and use RF1 (Employer's Quarterly Remittance Report) every quarter ending March, June, September, and December. Submission deadline for RF1 is the 15th day of the month following the applicable quarter.
Section 7 provides that enrollment of barangay officials and volunteers under the Indigent Program or Individually Paying Program is governed by existing rules and/or separate issuances promulgated by PhilHealth.