By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
House leaders defended the removal of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) premiums subsidy in the 2025 national budget, asserting that the reallocated funds were channeled directly to government hospitals, specialty centers, and medical infrastructure projects that will provide immediate assistance to indigent patients.
Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre clarified the rationale behind the decision, stressing that inefficiencies in PhilHealth’s system must first be addressed.
“Ganito lang ho ’yon: kung nakikita mo ang binigay mo dati ay hindi pa nagagamit, bakit mo dadagdagan para lang i-exacerbate ’yong efficiency na mayroon ang isang agency?” Acidre explained, noting that the decision was not taken lightly on account of the public’s frustration with PhilHealth.
“Napunta po [ang reallocated funds] una sa pagtatapos ng Philippine Cancer Center, mapupunta po ito sa patuloy na pagkompleto ng improvements at expansion natin ng National Kidney and Lung Center of the Philippines, mapupunta po ito sa pagpapalakas ng ating specialty centers, ating regional hospitals,” he added, detailing how the deduction of funds from PhilHealth will be used to benefit more Filipinos.
On the other hand, Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V echoed the concerns on PhilHealth’s fiscal management. Drawing from his experience in local governance, Ortega recounted persistent challenges faced by hospitals in collecting reimbursements from PhilHealth.
“May problema po talaga sa fiscal management… halos every 3 months, every 2 months kinakailangan namin mag-supplemental kasi nahihirapan ang district hospitals namin dahil anong [karaniwang] sinasabi ng administrator ng hospital? Hirap na hirap sila maningil sa PhilHealth,” Ortega said, pointing up that pileup of delayed reimbursements affect hospitals’ capacity to operate efficiently.
“Biro mo, ang liliit na ospital, umaabot sa milyon dahil nag-pileup na po sa dami ng kailangang singilin. So again, the House of Representatives [is] very much willing to help and be a partner to this agency,” he added further, expressing the government’s intent to help PhilHealth improve its capacity to deliver services efficiently while expanding its case rate coverage.
Moreover, Zambales Rep. Jefferson “Jay” Khonghun further stressed the need for PhilHealth to resolve its inefficiencies before receiving additional funds.
“Another P20 billion unutilized SARO din. So ibig sabihin, may pondo ang PhilHealth na hindi nagagamit. So sa kaso ng PhilHealth, hindi solusyon ang pagdagdag ng pondo para masagot ang problema nila sa kanilang mga programa,” Khonghun said, citing data showing unutilized funds that reflect systemic problems within the agency.
“Ako personally, nananawagan ako sa ating pamunuan ng PhilHealth na ayusin ’yong kanilang utilization at ibalik ’yong serbisyo sa ating mamamayan. Dahil kung hindi, baka mapilitan tayo na manawagan sa PhilHealth, sa mga [opisyales] ng PhilHealth, kung hindi nila kayang gawin ang trabaho nila, umalis sila diyan at hayaan ang ating pamahalaan, ang ating administration, na maghanap ng mga tao na kayang bigyan ng solusyon ang problema ng PhilHealth,” he asserted.
Subsidy cut to resolve underlying issues on PhilHealth’s utilization
Meanwhile, Acidre explained the context behind the subsidy cut, highlighting that inefficiencies in PhilHealth’s utilization have persisted for years. He further clarified that the current funds are sufficient for the national health insurer’s operations next year.
“Based on the assessment of Congress, we have more than enough funds to cover for at least next year. Kasi kung dadagdagan natin ’yon, eh di lalaki ulit ’yong inefficiency,” he said, reiterating the importance of ensuring fiscal accountability within the agency.
Likewise, Ortega and Khonghun both emphasized that the House remains committed to supporting PhilHealth but insisted on necessary reforms.
“Malaking bagay na tayo sa Kongreso ay maging partner nila, pero kailangan nilang umayos. Ang mahalaga dito ay maibalik sa tao ang serbisyo na nararapat sa kanila,” Ortega said.
“Hindi solusyon ang dagdag-pondo kung hindi nagagamit nang maayos. Kailangan ayusin muna ng PhilHealth ang kanilang serbisyo para sa tao,” Khonghun emphasized.
The decision to reallocate PhilHealth’s budget reflects a strategic approach by lawmakers to address systemic issues within the agency while directly funding hospitals and specialty centers to meet the immediate needs of indigent patients. (with report from Mela Lesmoras/PTV News)
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