The United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-Migrante) is calling on the Philippines Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to scrap its mandatory collection and premium hikes.

UNIFIL-Migrante held a protest outside the Philippine consulate in Hong Kong on June 3, coinciding with PhilHealth’s week-long “Service Mission” program launched from June 2 to 9. The group denounced the activity as a profit-drive collection drive rather than genuine service.

The group also condemned PhilHealth for its so-called free services such as registration, issuing IDs, and record updating. They said this is deceptive as these are the agency’s responsibilities and not special offers.

“This isn’t a free service; it’s a business. It’s not protection—it’s collection,” UNIFIL-Migrante chairperson Dolores Balladares said.

Under the Universal Health Care Law (RA 11223), PhilHealth cuts OFWs’ monthly salary by 5% as their “contribution”, with a 1.5% interest for late payment.

“PhilHealth lures us now with free registration in the guise of its ‘Service Mission’ only to burden us later with fees, then impose interest for late payment. OFWs suddenly end up in debt without even using the service. Is that health care? There are so many conditions, so many requirements, all demanding payment. OFWs need direct service, not mandatory and excessive charges! Ordinary Filipinos are miserable with this kind of health care!” Balladares added.

The group also called for the removal of other mandatory contributions, including those for the Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-IBIG. They said these further reduce their already small wages amid rising prices in the Philippines. “We need the complete removal of mandatory PhilHealth membership, not just a suspension,” UNIFIL-Hong Kong spokesperson Lai Besana said.

During the migrants’ protest, Joseline Tanguid and Mimi Ysulat shared personal experiences of how PhilHealth neglected their families.

Filipino migrants also expressed support for the protest on the Facebook page of Migrante Hong Kong. Mylene said “When OFWs get sick, they do not get treated in the Philippines because they are covered by their overseas employer’s healthcare. How can an OFWs use PhilHealth benefits in the Philippines? Besides, OFWs cannot refund their unused accumulated contributions.”

“Why must every offered service come with a mandatory fee? Give us a little relief, what do you think of us, cash cows?!” said Anne, a migrant, in anger, using the hashtag #ProtectionNotCollection.

“We all OFWs should learn that we are just being exploited for their political gain. Returning to the Philippines offers no good future and no benefit. Wages do not increase but fees do, now that PhilHealth is again mandatory. Failure to pay even incurs interest. Where is justice for us OFWs?” migrant Norma sadly said.

“Ordinary Filipinos need genuine, free, high-quality, and accessible public health care. Not commercialized nor privatized, and not for traditional politicians to exploit as a gold mine for corruption,” Bayan Hong Kong and Macau secretary general Baneng Mendez said.

UNIFIL-Migrante called for accountability and investigation of former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Arnel Ignacio for his anomalous purchase of land worth ₱1.4 billion supposedly to serve as a halfway house for OFWs. They also denounced the misuse of ₱15 billion PhilHealth funds during the pandemic and the issue of ghost claimants.

They also called on the US-Marcos Jr regime to implement the ₱1,200 living wage as a response to worsening poverty.

“While poverty drives 8,000 Filipinos to leave the country every day, a living wage will help prevent breaking up families, provide children education, secure decent housing, and access medical services. That is the change we need, not more fees and empty promises,” Mendez added.