OBJECTIVES: To (1) draft a comprehensive health program relevant to workers in the informal sector; (2) develop specific guidelines for the establishment of appropriate health services for informal workers, including recommended surveillance systems; and (3) formulate a mechanism for the full coverage of health insurance for informal workers integrated through the National Health Insurance system.

METHODS: Document reviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), informal surveys were conducted. The various agencies were involved from the study proposal to the final review through consultative meetings.

RESULTS: The health program for the informal sector (IS) is inadequate. Currently, the various health services of the government and its regulatory functions are not integrated to address the needs of the IS.

CONCLUSION: Hazard identification, evaluation and control with the appropriate IEC campaign aimed at behavioral modification for the informal sector and national health/social insurance service providers are the recommended steps. Tracking, monitoring and surveillance systems need to be established through local government units (LGUs), with the support of the workers' associations/cooperatives.

Social Security ; Informal Sector ; Local Government ; Focus Groups ; Aarskog Syndrome ; Dwarfism ; Insurance, Health ; Hand Deformities, Congenital ; Face ; Genitalia, Male ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Genetic Diseases, X-linked ; National Health Programs