Elected barangay officials in Cebu City may soon receive city-funded group health and hospitalization insurance.
The measure aims to strengthen frontline governance by protecting the health of officials.
The proposal was authored by Councilors Winston Pepito and Michelle Cellona.
It seeks to institutionalize a supplemental group health and hospitalization insurance program for all duly elected barangay officials.
This includes punong barangays, barangay council members, and Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons.
Titled the Cebu City Elected Barangay Officials Group Health and Hospitalization Insurance Ordinance of 2026, the measure frames health protection as a governance concern.
It notes that barangay work is physically demanding and high-risk, covering disaster response, peacekeeping, public health enforcement, and mediation of disputes.
The ordinance bases its legal authority on the Local Government Code of 1991.
The Code mandates local governments to promote public welfare and allows city councils to provide group insurance coverage when finances permit.
If enacted, the city government would procure a group health and hospitalization insurance policy from a government-accredited provider.
Procurement would follow competitive public bidding or other legally authorized methods.
Coverage would start when an official assumes office and end upon term expiration, resignation, removal, permanent incapacity, or suspension exceeding 90 consecutive days.
The insurance is designed as a supplemental benefit and would not duplicate existing coverage under PhilHealth, GSIS, private insurance, or other national government programs.
Covered benefits may include inpatient and outpatient services, emergency care, surgical procedures, and annual physical exams.
Critical illness and life insurance components may also be included, subject to fiscal feasibility and budget limits.
The ordinance allows supplementary medical assistance for expenses exceeding insurance benefits and PhilHealth reimbursements.
Such assistance would require medical necessity certification, complete documentation, and annual caps defined in the implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
To prevent misuse, cash advances are prohibited, and payments must be made directly to accredited hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, or service providers whenever possible.
Exclusions include elective cosmetic procedures, non-medically necessary treatments, and injuries from illegal activities, willful misconduct, intoxication, or self-inflicted harm.
Funding would come from the City General Fund, subject to annual appropriation and certification of fund availability by the City Budget Officer.
The ordinance emphasizes fiscal sustainability, allowing adjustments to premiums or benefit ceilings as needed.
The Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) would lead implementation, coordinating with the City Health Department, City Budget Office, and City Treasurer’s Office.
Implementing offices must maintain complete, auditable records and submit annual performance and financial reports to the city council.
The ordinance mandates issuance of detailed IRR within 60 days of effectivity.
The IRR will cover premium ceilings, benefit limits, claims timelines, fraud prevention measures, and periodic fiscal sustainability reviews. (LLP)
