IN a Senate hearing on Wednesday, December 18, presided over by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, concerns over the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) zero budget allocation for 2025 took center stage.
Senator Go, known for his steadfast advocacy in the health reforms crusade, delivered an impassioned opening statement emphasizing the importance of accessible and affordable healthcare for all Filipinos.
He underscored one of his priorities as the Committee Chairperson: ensuring equitable access to healthcare as mandated by Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
In a sharp critique of the recent decision to allocate zero funds for PhilHealth, Senator Go expressed his disapproval, stating, “That is why it saddens me that the Bicameral Committee Report on the 2025 national budget allocated zero budget for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation next year. I have expressed my deepest reservations on this decision, and, in fact, I also did not sign the bicameral report containing such provision.”
He emphasized the critical role of lessons learned from the pandemic, pointing out, “Sabi ko nga, dapat lessons learned na tayo sa naranasan natin noong panahon ng pandemya. Health must remain a priority! We should invest more in health. Katumbas yan ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino.”
The senator highlighted findings from five prior hearings on PhilHealth’s budget, which revealed approximately PHP 500 billion in excess funding. The breakdown of such enormous unutilized funds was also tackled during the recent hearing.
Despite the existence of unutilized excess funds, Go questioned the legality of the move to defund PhilHealth, citing provisions under the UHC Law and sin tax laws that guarantee funding for health programs.
“May pinang-galingan na po iyan, parte ng koleksyon mula sa sin tax sa ilalim ng RA 11346 at RA 11467 ay nakalaan dapat para sa implementasyon ng UHC kabilang na ang subsidiya para sa PhilHealth. Saan napunta ang budget na dapat sana sa PhilHealth?”
Senator Go highlighted his ongoing appeals to expand PhilHealth’s benefits packages, including interventions leading to increased case rates and the inclusion of services like dental, optometric, emergency and preventive care. However, he raised concerns over how these commitments of PhilHealth could be implemented with zero subsidy, saying, “How can PhilHealth efficiently implement its commitments for better healthcare benefits if no subsidy was allocated?”
The senator also delved into questionable spending practices by PhilHealth, particularly the proposed allocation of PhP 138 million for its 30th-anniversary celebrations. “Maraming pasyenteng naghihingalo, ipangtulong na lang sana ito sa kanila. Bakit di nyo gamitin ito sa benepisyo para sa mga pasyente para walang rason ang gobyerno na walisin ang pondo nyo at ma-zero budget kayo.”
He added, “Ang PhilHealth po ngayon ay parang ginigisa sa sariling mantika. Dapat itong maging wake-up call sa inyo para gawing mas episyente ang paggamit ng pondo. Kung hindi ito maayos, ang taumbayan ang magdurusa.”
Meanwhile, Senator Go also emphasized the critical role of Malasakit Centers in providing medical assistance to indigent Filipinos. He reminded the four agencies involved—Department of Health (DOH), PhilHealth, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)—of their legal obligations under the Malasakit Centers Act (RA 11463).
Concerned agencies assured the public that the program would continue, despite circulating concerns about its sustainability.
“The Department of Health (DOH) released Memorandum 2024-0391 which ensures continuous support and funding for Malasakit Centers. The DOH also committed to ensure that sufficient funding from the 2025 Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program shall be provided to guarantee the continuous, uninterrupted, and unhampered operation of all Malasakit Centers nationwide.”
Go directly addressed fears circulating on social media, saying, “Maraming nagtatanong sakin at may mga kumakalat din sa social media na hindi na raw susuportahan ng gobyerno ang Malasakit Centers. Marami ang nalulungkot at concerned sa issue na ito, lalo na ngayon na zero subsidy ang PhilHealth.”
“Since DOH naman po ang lead agency sa programa na ito, mas mabuti na sa inyo manggaling ang sagot para sa mga Pilipino. Ano ang mensahe ninyo sa mga Pilipino na nagtanong tungkol sa Malasakit Centers?” he added.
The senator also criticized PCSO for its hesitations regarding personnel deployment, stating, “Bakit ayaw nyong maglagay ng representatives at gusto nyo pang magmaka-awa sa inyo yung pasyente at papuntahin pa sa opisina ninyo? Gastos pa sa pamasahe. Papahirapan nyo pa ang mga pasyente.”
A portion of the speech was devoted to addressing the concerns of healthcare workers, particularly unpaid Health Emergency Allowances (HEA) due to them.
“Importanteng mabayaran ito dahil services rendered ito ng ating mga frontliners noong panahon ng pandemya,” Go stressed.
He reiterated the Committee’s commitment to providing a platform for healthcare workers to voice their concerns, adding, “We will continue to hear the concerns of several healthcare workers as this committee is committed to being an avenue for them to air out their concerns.”
Senator Go also underscored the importance of improving healthcare infrastructure. The hearing included discussions on primary care facilities, such as Super Health Centers, and specialized medical services like Regional Specialty Centers.
Legislative measures to enhance the country’s health system were also tackled, including Senate Bill No. 2585, institutionalizing the Philippine Blood Center, and Senate Bills No. 689 and 2657, aimed at promoting organ donation.
Senator Go reiterated his appeal for health funding to remain a national priority. He emphasized that the government must ensure minimal healthcare expenses for Filipinos, as mandated by the UHC Law.
“More importantly, funding intended for health must be used and allocated for health! Let us be reminded that under the UHC Law, Filipinos should be ensured that healthcare expenses are kept to a minimum.”
“As part of the oversight functions of this Committee, we remain committed to making health services more accessible and affordable to all Filipinos,” he added.
