Following the suspension of PhilHealth hike, Iligan City Representative Frederick Siao pushes for the suspension of raise in Iligan City and other areas that have been under the general community quarantine for months now.

“This is a good middle-ground for both the government and those who do not support the rate increase. The MGCQ areas have been living at close to pre-pandemic normal situation and their local economies have been running better now,” he said.

“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,” Siao explained.

The Chair of Committee on Civil Service & Professional Regulation congressman eyes on implementing this on certain areas including Metro Manila, Iligan City, and other areas that have been under GCQ for many months now.

Areas that have been placed under GCQ for the entire January are National Capital Region, Isabela, Santiago City, Batangas, Iloilo City, Tacloban, Lanao del Sur, Iligan, Davao City and Davao del Norte.

Siao appealed to the Department of Finance (DOF) to look into this recommendation.

Photo Credit: Facebook/Freddie Siao