Lawmaker pushes health insurance plan for informal economy workers

MANILA — Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas has filed a legislative measure aimed at extending health insurance benefits to workers employed in the informal economy, a move designed to shield them from catastrophic healthcare expenses.

In his proposal presented to fellow lawmakers this week, Vargas emphasized the vulnerability of informal sector workers who currently lack access to organized health insurance schemes. The measure seeks to establish a safety net for millions of Filipinos engaged in informal employment, protecting them during unforeseen health crises that could otherwise deplete their limited financial resources.

The informal economy encompasses a significant portion of the Philippine workforce, including street vendors, construction workers, domestic helpers, and other self-employed individuals who operate outside the formal employment structure. These workers typically lack the employee benefits and social security protections available to those in the formal sector.

Vargas's proposal aims to address this gap by creating an accessible health insurance mechanism tailored to the needs and financial capacity of informal workers. The lawmaker underscored that providing this protection would strengthen the country's social safety net and help reduce out-of-pocket healthcare spending among vulnerable populations.

The measure is expected to undergo committee deliberations as part of the legislative process in the House.