Qualified solo parents in the government and private sector will no longer have PhilHealth premium contributions deducted from their salaries. Under PhilHealth Circular No. 2026-0015, the national government now pays the employee share, and employers continue to pay theirs.
The circular implements Section 15(c) of Republic Act 11861, the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act. The provision states that “the premium contribution of solo parents in the formal economy shall be shared equally by their employers and the National Government.” Solo parents who are not employed will have their full premium paid by the national government, according to a FAQ released by the Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list.
The change was confirmed on Thursday, September 24, during House deliberations on the Department of Health’s proposed budget, Politiko reported. BH Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal asked: “Kailan finally ma-iimplement ang government share in the PhilHealth contribution of employed solo parents under R.A. 11861?” (When will the government share in the PhilHealth contribution of employed solo parents under R.A. 11861 finally be implemented?)
Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia, sponsor of the DOH budget and its attached agencies, relayed the response of DOH and PhilHealth officials: “Napaka-timing ng inyong tanong dahil effective today, implement na.” (Your question is well-timed, because it takes effect today.)
DOH and PhilHealth said no salary deductions will be made for any solo parent in either the public or private sector. “That’s very good news for the solo parents,” Nazal said.
BH chairperson and spokesperson Bernadette Herrera, one of the principal authors of RA 11861, said: “Para sa mga solo parents na nagtatrabaho, finally lumabas na ang circular at pipirmahan na today and effective today, wala na kayong premium contribution na ikakaltas sa inyong mga sweldo. Bakit? Dahil sagot na ito ng national government sang-ayon sa RA 11861.” (For working solo parents, the circular is finally out and will be signed and take effect today. No premium contribution will be deducted from your salaries. Why? Because the national government now covers it under RA 11861.)
PhilHealth published the circular in the Manila Standard on September 26, 2026.
To qualify, employees need a valid Solo Parent Identification Card (SPIC) from their LGU’s Solo Parents Office or Division, or from the local social welfare office if the LGU has neither. They must submit an accomplished PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) and a photocopy of both sides of the SPIC. A printed Solo Parent ID System record is also required once that system is available. On the current PMRF, applicants write “Solo Parent” and their SPIC number under “Indirect Contributor” in Part IV.
HR prepares an Employer Certification of Solo Parent Employees (Annex A) and submits it with the requirements to the PhilHealth branch where the company remits contributions. Solo parents may also file in person at the nearest PhilHealth office or through the PhilHealth Member Portal.
Coverage extends to qualified dependents. These are children who are unmarried, unemployed, 22 years old or younger, and living with and supported by the solo parent, as well as those older than 22 who cannot care for themselves because of a physical or mental disability. Covered members can use PhilHealth benefits, including the YAKAP and GAMOT programs.
The new circular builds on PhilHealth Circular No. 2024-0020, which gave solo parents and their dependents automatic NHIP coverage in 2024.
Solo parents must renew their SPIC every year and notify PhilHealth before it expires. If they don’t, their membership reverts to another category. BH’s FAQ says the circular does not set a first payroll cutoff or a refund process for deductions made before it took effect. Members with questions can call PhilHealth’s 24/7 hotline at (02) 8662-2558 or email [email protected].
