Manila, April 30 -- Unemployed persons with disabilities (PWDs) listed in the Philippine Registry for Persons with Disabilities (PR-PWD) are automatically classified as non-paying members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

PhilHealth 6 (Western Visayas) Field Operations Division Chief Junie Sabusap said on Wednesday that they have captured 15,365 PWDs registered with the PR-PWD.

However, this number likely falls short of the actual total.

"PWDs are categorized as indirect contributors and are not required to make PhilHealth contributions," Sabusap explained.

He added that the agency is awaiting a policy to address contribution requirements for employed PWDs.

Ideally, PWDs with jobs in either the public or private ...