Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, once again expressed his reservations on the proposed zero-budget allocation for Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) for 2025, describing the move as “unacceptable and anti-poor.”
Speaking in a phone patch interview with DZRH’s Dos Por Dos program on December 16, Senator Go underscored the possible implications of defunding PhilHealth subsidy next year even with the existence of its reserve funds.
“Hindi po ako pumirma sa bicam report dahil nga po nalaman natin na zero budget po ang PhilHealth,” Senator Go stated, adding that he understands the frustration and anger of many Filipinos. “Paano ie-expand ang benefits ng PhilHealth kung ni piso ay walang ibibigay na subsidy ang gobyerno?”
The Senator also pointed out that the move may violate Republic Act 11223, or the Universal Health Care Law, which mandates the inclusion of necessary funding in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). He further highlighted that funds earmarked for health under the Sin Tax Laws—Republic Act 11346 and Republic Act 11467—should be allocated to support Universal Health Care (UHC) initiatives.
“Kailangan po na ‘yung inilaan, ‘yung nakolekta noong 2023 (from sin taxes), ‘yun po ‘yung ini-earmark dapat po para sa 2025 (para sa Philhealth),” Senator Go explained.
Given these provisions in existing laws, he questioned, “Eh bakit natin ise-zero yung budget ng PhilHealth?”
The Senator’s criticism also targeted the broader implications of this decision on indigent patients who rely on PhilHealth to reduce their out-of-pocket medical expenses. “Ang mga mahihirap na pasyente po ang kawawa dito. Malaking tulong po sa indigent patients kung mapapaganda ang benepisyo ng PhilHealth para mabawasan ang kanilang gastos,” he stressed.
Senator Go emphasized the importance of ensuring that healthcare remains accessible to all Filipinos, particularly vulnerable groups such as the poor, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
PhilHealth plans to appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding the government’s decision to allocate zero subsidy to the state health insurer in the 2025 budget. The appeal emphasizes the critical role of government subsidy in funding premiums for vulnerable groups, including the poor, senior citizens, and PWDs.
Although Go has strongly criticized the decision to withhold funding for PhilHealth, he still urged the state health insurer to deliver on its commitments to expand health benefits for Filipinos by utilizing its available funds properly.
“Naiintindihan ko po ang galit at pagkadismaya ng taumbayan,” Senator Go stated. “Ngunit hindi dapat maging hadlang ito para hindi magawa ng Philhealth ang trabaho niya.”
“Kung ginamit po sana nang tama ang pondo, hindi tayo aabot sa puntong ito. Ang dapat gawin ng PhilHealth ay siguruhin na ang pondo ay talagang napapakinabangan ng taumbayan,” he said.
The past months, Go kept on urging PhilHealth to expand its benefit packages especially for top 10 mortality diseases, increase case rates, recommend the reduction of premium contribution of members, scrap its restrictive policies like the 24-hour confinement policy, cover additional services like dental, optometric services, provide free medicines and assistive devices, among others.
“Marami pong tanong sa paggamit ng pondo ng PhilHealth, pero hindi sapat ang sagot na mayroon itong reserbang bilyon. Kailangang ilatag nila ang malinaw na plano kung paano nila mapapalawak ang benepisyo para sa taumbayan,” Senator Go stated.
Go’s appeals for expanded benefits are rooted in concerns over the agency’s management of its existing resources, which include a significant reserve fund of over PHP 500 billion as well as PHP 89.9 billion excess funds that was planned to be transferred to the treasury to be used for other purposes if not for the recent Supreme Court (SC) Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) which Go lauded.
Go also raised that while the SC TRO halted the transfer of excess Philhealth Funds to the national treasury, the move of Congress to defund PhilHealth next year leads to questions as to where the intended funds for health will be allocated.
“Tinutulan nga natin ang pagtransfer ng excess funds sa national treasury, pero ang pagdefund sa PhilHealth sa susunod na taon ay mistulang paraan din lang para magamit ang pondo na dapat para sa kalusugan sa ibang paggagamitan. I also find this morally unacceptable,” he said expressing disappointment on why the budget for health will be compromised.
“Hindi ko alam saan napunta ang PHP 74 billion na dapat sana para sa PhilHealth o para sa health,” he lamented. “Kung may tinanggal na budget sa PhilHealth dahil kulang ang benepisyo na binibigay nito, dapat sa health programs ilagay pa din. Dapat hindi po sa iba.”
The Senate Committee on Health, under Senator Go’s leadership, has scheduled a hearing on December 18 to discuss PhilHealth’s plans moving forward. Senator Go remains steadfast in his position that government funds for health should not be diverted for other purposes.
“Ang pondo ng PhilHealth ay dapat magamit nang tama, hindi para lang itago bilang reserba. Napakaraming Pilipino ang nangangailangan ng tulong medikal, at dapat silang maging pangunahing benepisyaryo ng pondong ito,” he added.
Senator Go urged PhilHealth to fulfill its mandate and work towards ensuring that every Filipino can access quality healthcare without the burden of excessive costs. The Senator concluded by expressing his gratitude to the public and promising to continue his health reforms crusade.
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