By Brian Campued
“Health care is the most important service that the government can give.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday announced the return of P60 billion in excess funds to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to support the expansion and improvement of its services.
During a visit to the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (DJFMH) in Santa Cruz, Manila, the President said the budget came from savings of various departments, including the slashed P255-billion funds for local flood control projects under the 2026 spending plan of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The Department of Finance previously transferred the P60 billion PhilHealth funds to the national treasury as these were not being put to use for members’ benefits, Marcos recalled.
“Kahit anong paliwanag na ibigay namin. Kahit na anong ipakita natin na dumadami ang serbisyo na kino-cover ng PhilHealth, may pangamba pa rin ‘yung tao na baka mabawasan ‘yung mga services,” he said.
“So, I’m happy to be able to announce dahil—‘yung 60 billion na ‘yan, ibabalik na natin sa PhilHealth… gagamitin na natin ‘yan para palawakin pa ang serbisyo ng PhilHealth,” the President added.
The move was in line with the administration’s push for a stronger, inclusive, and more responsive health care system.
In a statement, the DOF said that it had communicated to the President a “solicited opinion” that since PhilHealth had improved its revenue performance, it supports a fund augmentation to the state insurer to boost the expansion of its benefits and services.
“The restoration of the money will allow PhilHealth to meet its Zero Balance Billing program obligations,” the Finance department stated.
The Department of Health (DOH) said the new allocation aligns with its goal to increase the government’s share in current health expenditures to help reduce out-of-pocket expenses of patients.
“As Chair of the PhilHealth Board of Directors, DOH sees this move as crucial for ongoing efforts to expand health benefits and services for all Filipinos,” Health Sec. Teodoro Herbosa said.
PhilHealth Acting President and CEO, Dr. Edwin Mercado welcomed the Marcos’ announcement, highlighting the Chief Executive’s continued support to enhance the country’s health care system.
“Ipinapangako namin na ang pondong ito ay gagamitin nang may buong katapatan, integridad, at transparency,” Mercado said in a statement. “Ito ay upang higit pang mapabuti at mapanatili ang mga benepisyong natatanggap ng aming mga miyembro, lalo na sa harap ng tumataas na gastusing medikal at nagbabagong pangangailangan sa kalusugan.”
During his visit at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, Marcos checked on the implementation of the DOH’s “zero balance billing” (ZBB) policy and oversaw the turnover of donated medical equipment to the hospital.
“When people give up, sasabihin nila, kawawa naman ‘to. ‘Yung mga pasyente wala na, hindi na magamot dahil wala kaming pambayad, maayos na ngayon ‘yan. Hindi na sila kailangang magbayad. Mayroon silang hospital na pupuntahan at ang government ay mag-aalalay sa kanila,” the President said.
He lauded the health care workers for their hard work and dedication to ensuring the health protection of their patients, reiterating the administration’s commitment to making essential services more accessible to Filipinos.
“We have to congratulate everyone for the good work and all the help that you are providing our people sa kanilang healthcare, hindi lamang sa mga maliliit na bata, ‘yung mga sanggol, kung hindi pati na sa ating mga pasyente,” Marcos stressed.
The ZBB program ensures that patients admitted to DOH hospitals, particularly those in ward or basic accommodation, do not have to pay any out-of-pocket expenses for covered services.
From July to September 2025, the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital has serviced a total of 6,853 patients under the program, amounting to P104,226,650 hospital bills incurred. (with report from Kenneth Paciente / PTV News)
-jpv
