Veterinarians, veterinary nurses, assistants, receptionists, groomers, kennel attendants, and other veterinary employees who are solo parents may not be aware of an important PhilHealth benefit that can directly increase their take-home pay.
Under PhilHealth Circular No. 2026-0015, qualified employed solo parents may have their personal share of the PhilHealth premium paid by the National Government instead of being deducted from their salary.
This does not mean that there is no PhilHealth contribution.
It means:
- Solo parent employee: ₱0 personal share
- Employer: continues to pay the employer share
- National Government: shoulders the employee’s corresponding premium share
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HOW MUCH COULD THIS SAVE?
The PhilHealth premium rate for 2026 is 5% of the employee’s monthly basic salary, normally shared equally by the employee and employer.
| Monthly Basic Salary | Total PhilHealth Premium | Employer Share | Government-Subsidized Employee Share | Employee Deduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₱15,000 | ₱750 | ₱375 | ₱375 | ₱0 |
| ₱25,000 | ₱1,250 | ₱625 | ₱625 | ₱0 |
| ₱40,000 | ₱2,000 | ₱1,000 | ₱1,000 | ₱0 |
The amount may appear small on a monthly basis, but for a solo parent supporting a family on a single income, every additional peso in the paycheck matters.
BUT THERE IS AN IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT
The benefit is not automatic.
An employee cannot simply inform HR that he or she is a solo parent and immediately stop paying PhilHealth contributions.
The employee must have a valid Solo Parent Identification Card (SPIC) issued by the appropriate local government office and must comply with PhilHealth’s documentary and membership updating requirements.
For employed solo parents, the required process may include submitting a PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) together with a copy of the front and back of the valid Solo Parent ID and completing the necessary employer certification and PhilHealth updating procedures.
The member must be properly classified or tagged by PhilHealth as an eligible solo parent before the government subsidy can be applied.
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FOR VETERINARY CLINIC OWNERS AND HR STAFF
Veterinary hospitals and clinics should also familiarize themselves with this new rule.
If one of your veterinarians or staff members is a qualified solo parent, HR and accounting personnel should help ensure that the employee’s PhilHealth records and required documents are properly processed.
Do not simply assume that the usual employee contribution must always continue to be deducted.
At the same time, do not stop deductions solely because an employee says that he or she is a solo parent. The employee must first satisfy the official requirements and be properly recognized under the PhilHealth program.
FOR OUR VETERINARY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE SOLO PARENTS
Check the validity of your Solo Parent ID.
Talk to your HR or accounting department.
Update your PhilHealth membership records and submit the required documents.
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This is not merely a company privilege or an optional discount.
It is part of the expanded government benefits provided to qualified solo parents.
For a veterinarian or veterinary staff member raising a child on a single income, even a few hundred pesos saved every month can mean additional money for food, transportation, school expenses, medicines, or other household needs.
If you are a qualified solo parent, know the benefits available to you. You may be entitled to keep more of your salary instead of having your personal PhilHealth share deducted every month.
SOURCES
PhilHealth Circular No. 2026-0015 Coverage of Solo Parents and Their Children or Dependents to the National Health Insurance Program Philippine Health Insurance Corporation https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2026/archives.php
PhilHealth Tamang Sagot, Circular No. 2026-0015 https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2026/TS-PC-2026-0015-FILIPINO.pdf
Republic Act No. 11861 Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act Official text available through Lawphil.
PhilHealth 2026 Premium Contribution Schedule PhilHealth premium rate: 5% of monthly basic salary, subject to the applicable income floor and ceiling.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
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