PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure providing for the mandatory Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) coverage for all persons with disability (PWDs).

Under Republic Act (RA) 11228, inked on February 22, all PWDs shall be automatically covered under the PHilHealth's National Health Insurance program.

The newly-signed law also states that premium contributions for all PWDs shall be paid by the National Government.

"The PhilHealth shall develop exclusive packages for PWDs that will address their specific health and development needs," RA 11128 read.

The funds necessary for the effective implementation of mandatory PhilHealth coverage for PWDs shall be sourced from agency's National Health Insurance Fund.

RA 11128 mandates the Department of Health (DOH) to conduct a periodic monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the law.

The DOH is tasked to coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), local government units (LGUs), and other relevant government agencies and nongovernment organizations.

The law also directs the DOH to maintain an updated base on PWDs and their health and development needs.

It also ordered the LGUs, PhilHealth, NCDA, and other relevant government agencies to submit data on PWDs to the DOH.

The PhilHealth, in consultation with the DOH, DSWD, Dole, NCDA, and various national leagues of LGUs, shall promulgate implementing rules and regulations within three months upon the effectivity of RA 11128.

The law takes effect 15 days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

The Palace released a copy of RA 11128 on Monday, March 4. (SunStar Philippines)