MANILA, Feb. 3 -- The House of Representatives on Monday night approved on third reading a bill aimed at strengthening the country's healthcare system to improve efficiency, equity, and public health emergency preparedness.

With 191 affirmative votes, three negative votes, and no abstentions, the chamber passed House Bill 11357, which seeks to amend Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.

The bill is a priority measure under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

The House-proposed amendments include setting the premium contribution rates for all Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) members at 3.5 percent from the current 5 percent rate, which would be adjusted on an annual ba...