President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued a significant directive to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), ordering a general amnesty on interest and penalties for unpaid contributions. This move is designed to provide substantial financial relief to employers, business owners, and self-employed members across the nation.
One-Time Waiver and Payment Window
In a video message released on social media on Thursday morning, January 8, 2026, President Marcos detailed the new policy. The cornerstone of the amnesty is a one-time waiver of interest and penalties for the year 2026. This allows members with outstanding balances to settle their arrears without the burden of additional charges.
"I have instructed PhilHealth to implement a general amnesty for business owners, private employers, and our self-employed citizens who have unpaid PhilHealth contributions," Marcos stated. He acknowledged the strain of regular payments, noting, "We know that the 3 percent paid to PhilHealth every month is strongly felt by our people."
Timeline for Settling Arrears
Under the presidential directive, employers are given a clear path to compliance. They will have one year to pay all missed contributions that were incurred over a long period, specifically from July 2013 to December 2024. This extended timeline is intended to make the settlement process manageable for businesses of all sizes.
The administration estimates that this amnesty initiative will benefit approximately 300,000 PhilHealth members who have fallen behind on their payments. President Marcos also used the announcement to urge all employers to update their records and ensure that every worker is properly registered under PhilHealth's Yaman ng Kalusugan, or Yakap Program. This program is central to the government's goal of expanding healthcare coverage and improving access to medical services for all Filipinos.
Part of Broader Healthcare Relief
President Marcos framed this amnesty as a key component of his administration's wider strategy to reduce the cost of living and ease economic pressures. "All of these are being done to lighten the burden of our people when it comes to healthcare costs and the many challenges they face," he explained.
This policy directly addresses long-standing contribution backlogs, removing a significant financial hurdle for thousands. By waiving the accumulating interest and penalties, the government aims to encourage compliance and reintegrate members into the health insurance system, thereby strengthening the overall safety net for Filipino families.
