“I suggest to the Department of Finance that the deferment of premium increases should apply not just to PhilHealth and SSS premiums but also to the GSIS, and PAG-IBIG Fund,” he said.
Siao added that this would be a “good middle-ground for both the government and those who do not support the rate increase.”
According to the Iligan City lone district representative, the recommendation is only for GCQ areas because those under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) are “close to pre-pandemic normal situation and their local economies have been running better now.”
He specifically asked to defer hikes only for the lower half of paying members.
“Deferment of rate hike in GCQ areas makes financial sense because the upper 50 percent of paying members can afford to pay the premium increase, while the lower half cannot, so defer only for the lower half, not for the upper half,” said Siao.
As to employers who pay counterpart premiums, he said that the “deferment should apply also to the small enterprises, more so to those which had to temporarily shut down or are running at less than 50 percent capacity.”
While MGCQ allows everyone to go outside their residence, GCQ limits the movement of people to accessing essential goods and services, and for work in offices and industries allowed to operate. ###