SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, a known health reforms crusader, has intensified his push for long-overdue improvements in the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), holding the agency accountable for promises made during previous Senate hearings.
Speaking in a recent interview on DZRH’s “Balansyado” with Henry Uri and Karen Yow-Ong on Tuesday, January 7, Senator Go emphasized that these reforms are not new initiatives but part of his years-long advocacy to address systemic issues within PhilHealth and improve healthcare access for Filipinos.
Senator Go expressed frustration with PhilHealth’s slow response to his repeated calls for reforms, pointing to the recent discovery of PHP 89.9 billion in excess funds returned to the National Treasury.
“Ngayon sa ating pagdidinig, along the way, alam n’yo nadiskubre natin na ang PhilHealth pala ay pinapasauli ng National Treasury yung PHP 89.9 billion dahil mayroon silang excess funds. So sabi ko naman bakit gano’n. PhilHealth funds po ‘yan, eh para po ‘yan sa health,” Senator Go stated, reiterating his belief that these funds should have been used to provide better coverage for Filipinos.
He noted that if PhilHealth had implemented reforms earlier, these funds could have directly benefited the public. “Kung ginawa n’yo ‘yan noong nakaraang taon pa sa umpisa pa lang ng taon, eh wala kayong excess fund… Dapat insured po ang ating mga kababayan. Kung magkasakit sila, wala silang pangamba na tutulungan sila ng PhilHealth.”
Thanks to Senator Go’s relentless oversight, PhilHealth has committed to significant changes, including increasing case rates by 50% and improving benefit packages this year. These reforms build on issues Senator Go has consistently flagged in previous hearings.
“Ngayon tinaasan nila ng 50% effective this year. Salamat. Alam n’yo pinapirma natin sila, may commitment letter sila na iko-comply nila this year ‘yon,” Senator Go said.
In addition, PhilHealth removed its controversial Single Period of Confinement policy last September, addressing a problem Senator Go had criticized since his early investigations into the agency. “‘Yung Single Period of Confinement policy tinanggal na nila noong September 30. Ano po ito? 2013 policy nila na hindi naman nila pinag-aralan nang mabuti… Kalokohan naman ‘yon.”
He also announced PhilHealth’s plans to eliminate the 24-hour confinement requirement and introduce emergency packages, another reform he has championed for years. “Mayroon na silang emergency packages. So ibig sabihin na hindi na natin kailangang magpa-admit ng 24 hours bago nila i-cover. Tama ‘yon.”
Free dental and eye checkups, including free eyeglasses, have also been included in PhilHealth’s commitments, underscoring progress in Senator Go’s broader push for more inclusive healthcare benefits.
As PhilHealth continues to implement these changes, Senator Go emphasized that legislative oversight remains vital. He assured the public that he would hold officials accountable, highlighting the importance of their under-oath commitments during Senate hearings.
“Alam n’yo under oath po ‘nung nangako sila sa committee hearing, under oath po ‘yon. ‘Pag nagsinungaling ka doon maaari kang ma-contempt. So tututukan ko po ito, ‘yung ipinangako,” he declared.
Senator Go quipped about PhilHealth President Emmanuel Ledesma’s promises, dubbing him “Boy Promise” and urging him to transform into “Boy Tupad”. “Sabi ko huwag lang puro promise, sabi ko gawing mong ‘Boy Tupad’.”
Senator Go reiterated that his crusade for health reforms has always been centered on the welfare of ordinary Filipinos. He vowed to continue pressuring PhilHealth to prioritize the needs of the public and ensure no funds go to waste.
“Hindi ko titigilan ‘yang PhilHealth at tuluy-tuloy po ang aking hearing kahit na linggo-linggo tayo mag-hearing para pakinggan po ang hinaing ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
