MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte signed the universal healthcare bill into law on Wednesday.
WATCH: President Duterte signs the Universal Health Care Law here in Malacañang @PhilippineStar @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/JJZzbvJFLg
— Alexis B. Romero (@alexisbromero) February 20, 2019
The law mandates the automatic enrollment of all Filipinos into the National Healthcare Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), as either direct or indirect contributors.
Sen. JV Ejercito, the bill's principal sponsor in the Senate, tweeted after Duterte signed the bill, "Basta Pilipino ka, covered ka!"
According to his tweet, basic accommodations at public hospitals, check-up and lab tests and basic maintenance medicines would be covered.
UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE BATAS NA!
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) February 20, 2019
Basta Pilipino ka, covered ka!
Abot-kamay na ng bawat Pilipino ang de-kalidad na serbisyong medikal, dahil karapatan mo ang maging malusog! #UniversalHealthCareBatasNa #dapathealthytayo pic.twitter.com/G05vSeGO5u
The bicameral version was ratified in December.
READ: Ejercito hopeful for Universal Health Care bill enactment before Christmas
This is a developing story.