The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has announced a waiver of interest on missed premium payments by employers from July 2013 to December 2024, following an order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The waiver features a graduated rate based on the payment timeline, with settlements starting from January 24 to December 31, 2026.
In January 2026, PhilHealth issued a policy to implement a one-time general amnesty for interest on unpaid employer premiums. According to PhilHealth spokesperson Israel Pargas, the amnesty covers interest from missed contributions from July 2013 to December 2024, but employers must still settle the principal premiums for that period.
The interest waiver rate depends on the payment duration. Employers settling the full amount within one month receive a complete waiver of the 3% monthly compounded interest. For payments in installments over two to six months, 2% of the monthly compounded interest is waived. For seven to 12 months, 1% is waived.
To qualify, employers must update employee details like dependents and civil status, register all employees with a YAKAP clinic, and meet documentary requirements. The YAKAP program offers primary care benefits such as consultations, medicines, and lab tests, with over 4,000 clinics nationwide as of December 2025.
PhilHealth estimates 290,000 private and 10,000 government employers will benefit, potentially collecting P20 billion. Failure to pay by the end of 2026 will reinstate interest and lead to legal action. Member access to PhilHealth benefits remained unaffected by these lapses.
President Marcos stated, “We are doing this to ease the burden of our fellow Filipinos on healthcare costs and other daily challenges.” ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. welcomed the move, saying it would be “good” for employers. The Department of Health urged settlements, noting “now is the best time” with easier terms. A similar waiver for self-employed individuals is expected soon.
