By Mike Baños
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- PhilHealth conducted the Mindanao leg of a series of multi-sectoral public consultations on the proposed Omnibus Amendments to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 7875, as amended by Republic Act Nos. 9241, 10606, and 11223 (National Health Insurance Act) at a local hotel on February 5, 2026.
The activity was part of the nationwide series of consultations headed by PhilHealth’s
Corporate Planning Department and Office of the Corporate Secretary. Present were its partners healthcare providers, employers, and local community representatives.
For this leg, discussions focused on Volume I of the Omnibus IRR which dealt with the quasi-judicial functions and powers of the Corporation with regards to procedures for claims, prosecution and investigation.
According to PhilHealth Board Member Atty. Gioan Fernand A. Legaspi, after the inputs will be consolidated, they will be presented to the PhilHealth Board for finalization and approval before the proposed amendments are to be published publicly to give stakeholders another opportunity to comment on these.
“It usually takes several months to finalize one volume, but we foresee Volumes 2 to 4 to be easier since these only involve accreditation, claims but Volume 1 is the most difficult which is why we prioritized this first,” Legaspi said. “We are looking forward to having the amendments for Volume 1 implemented by April this year.”
However, he further clarified that the approved amendments would be prospective, that is, it would only apply to cases on dates after the amendments have been approved and implemented.
PhilHealth Regional Office X Regional Vice President Delio A. Aseron II said it was the final series of consultations after which inputs from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are to be consolidated. He stressed how these are crucial for the strengthening of governance, accountability, and transparency, which are essential to maintain the public trust and confidence on PhilHealth to ensure the continued protection of its members and the sustainability of its healthcare partners.
Thus, the Mindanao consultation is of utmost importance in sustaining the agency’s continued thrust for further improvement. He encouraged those present to share their relevant experiences, issues and concerns, and recommendations which can lead to measures which work in actual situations.
About PhilHealth:
PhilHealth is a tax-exempt Government Corporation attached to the Department of Health for policy coordination and guidance. (Article IV, Section 15 of RA 7875 as amended). It shall have the following powers and functions (Article IV, Section 16 of RA 7875 as amended by RA 10606) primarily tasked with the administration of the National Health Insurance Program.
The National Health Insurance Program was established to provide health insurance coverage and ensure affordable, acceptable, available and accessible health care services for all citizens of the Philippines.
It shall serve as the means for the healthy to help pay for the care of the sick and for those who can afford medical care to subsidize those who cannot. It shall initially consist of Programs I and II or Medicare and be expanded progressively to constitute one universal health insurance program for the entire population.
The program shall include a sustainable system of funds constitution, collection, management and disbursement for financing the availment of a basic minimum package and other supplementary packages of health insurance benefits by a progressively expanding proportion of the population.
The program shall be limited to paying for the utilization of health services by covered beneficiaries. It shall be prohibited from providing health care directly, from buying and dispensing drugs and pharmaceuticals, from employing physicians and other professionals for the purpose of directly rendering care, and from owning or investing in health care facilities. (Article III, Section 5 of RA 7875 as amended)
