Overseas Filipino workers in UAE hailed President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to temporarily suspend the collection of higher premiums from them.
In a statement, Duterte said that the government decided not to impose additional burden on OFWs for now, especially at a time when so many of them have been repatriated and have lost their jobs.
“Salamat at naintindihan kaming mga OFWs ng mahal na presidente sa sobrang hirap ng buhay namin. Yung 3% na hinihingi ng PhilHealth sa salary namin malaking bagay na yun. Hindi na nga sapat kabuhayan namin tapos kukunin pa nila?” Myrna Bait, a Dubai-based office staff, said.
Meanwhile, Jhun Valenzuela of Sharjah, said PhilHealth will not heed the order from the Malacanang unless the law is repealed.
“Online petition works. We pay voluntarily for PhilHealth not mandator. And please ammend the law tanggalin niyo na yung interest hindi naman kami nag loan para bigyan nang interest rates,” he added.
On the other hand, Aljon Yap, recently fired from work in Dubai, said he’s happy to hear the decision from the Philippine government but also want to see an official proof that the law has been repealed and implemented retroactively.
