www.socialinnovationinhealth.org

THE CHALLENGEThere is low collection rate of health insurance premiums, thus low coverage, among members of the informal sector in the Philippines, translating to poor access to health services. In Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) attributes this to the informal sector’s low and irregular income, lack of awareness on PhilHealth programs, lack of technical capability to manage a savings mobilization program among themselves, and inaccessibility of collection facilities.

THE SOCIAL INNOVATION“P6.60 Kada Araw na Hulog Para sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya” is a special

project of the PhilHealth Palawan Local Health Insurance Office that aims

to increase the health coverage of informal sector workers, specifically the

members of the tricycle operators and drivers’ associations (TODAs) in the

city. The project has a capacity building component to ensure that through a

savings mobilization scheme, TODA members also become paying members

of PhilHealth. In a month, TODA members are required to save a minimum

amount of P6.60 per day or any available amount. Once their savings reach

the amount of P600.00, which is the required quarterly PhilHealth premium,

the group treasurer remits the full amount to PhilHealth. Aside from attending

regular group meetings, members benefit from medical check-ups and

financial management seminars. The project has already expanded to reach

multicab drivers and operators’ associations (MODA) in the city. Two transport

associations with 107 covered members are currently part of the project.

To sustain the effort, the City Government of Puerto Princesa passed

Ordinance No. 762 in 2016 requiring Philhealth certification prior to the

issuance of franchises among tricycle operators and permits of drivers of other

public utility vehicles.

IMPACT ON HEALTH DELIVERY“P6.60 Kada Araw na Hulog Para sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya” lessens the vulnerability of informal sector workers and encourages self-reliance in addressing their own health needs. Through the savings mobilization program, the members appreciate the value of savings and develop foresight and group management skills. They also value how health insurance through PhilHealth provides them and their families with financial risk protection and better access to affordable health services.

The project has rallied the support of the local government unit (LGU) to compel other drivers and operators’ groups to apply for Philhealth membership. It has also inspired the LGU to extend its health services directly to the worksites.

OPPORTUNITY FOR SCALEPhilHealth Palawan Local Health Insurance Office is able to sustain the initiative by having designated staff to organize information and education seminars and monitor the collections during TODA meetings. Continued support from the local government and TODA officers can extend the project to other informal sector groups in Puerto Princesa City.

The PhilHealth National Office and the Department of Health can incorporate the “P6.60 Kada Araw na Hulog Para sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya” as one of their agencies’ permanent programs that provide universal health care to Filipino informal sector workers.

KEY LESSONS1 Tap champions among the community. The city’s

transport sector head, who was designated by the LGU, has been a crucial partner in mobilizing the TODAs. The Cooperative Bank of Palawan, being the depository bank of the one of the transport groups, contributed to the project by conducting a financial management seminar to the members. Non-government organizations that are also working with informal sector groups give support to the project as well.

2 Policy support from the local government unit is essential. The enactment of a city ordinance is a push factor in making health insurance available to the city’s public transport drivers.

3 Excellence in government service is a motivation for the PhilHealth staff, while good governance demonstrated by the TODA officers is instrumental in the sustaining of the project.

P6.60 Kada Araw na Hulog Para sa Kalusugan ng Pamilya—PUERTO princesa city

An affordable and streamlined insurance collection system for the informal sector