SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, widely regarded as a crusader for health reforms, has again expressed his strong reservations on some provisions included in the ratified Bicameral Committee Report on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill, particularly on the proposed zero subsidy for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for 2025.
In a statement on December 12, a day after the Senate ratified the bicam report, Go highlighted the implications of this move, emphasizing its adverse effects on poor Filipinos and the goal to fully implement the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
“Kahapon, Disyembre 11, ay na-ratify na ng Senado ang Bicameral Committee Report kung saan nakasaad na zero budget o hindi maglalaan ang gobyerno ng pondo para sa PhilHealth sa susunod na taon. Gusto ko pong ulitin ang pagtutol ko dito,” Go began.
He pointed out that while recent Senate Health Committee hearings revealed that PhilHealth has a reserve fund exceeding PHP 500 billion, it does not justify completely removing the government’s subsidy for the state health insurance program.
“Bagama’t nadiskubre natin na may higit PHP 500 bilyong reserve fund ang PhilHealth matapos ang sunod-sunod na Senate Health Committee hearings na aking pinangunahan, I do not agree that we should completely defund subsidy for PhilHealth. This is unacceptable and anti-poor,” Go asserted.
The senator underscored the importance of ensuring government support for PhilHealth to enhance its benefits for Filipinos, particularly indigent patients.
“Paano tuluyang ma-eexpand ang benefits ng PhilHealth para sa Pilipino kung ni piso ay walang ibibigay na subsidy ang gobyerno para dito?” he questioned.
Go emphasized that while PhilHealth must use its existing funds appropriately, lawmakers should also uphold their responsibility to direct government funds toward health-related initiatives to ensure that healthcare services are not compromised.
“Ipinaglalaban nga natin na gamitin dapat ng PhilHealth nang tama ang pondong mayroon sila ngunit bilang mga mambabatas, suportahan rin natin ang hangaring ito sa pamamagitan ng pagsigurong mapupunta sa health ang pondo na para naman talaga sa health na naaayon naman sa batas! Hindi dapat ito mapunta sa ibang paggagamitan,” he said.
The senator raised concerns about the potential setback to achieving the UHC Law’s objectives, including reducing medical expenses for every Filipino in the coming years.
“Tandaan po natin na alinsunod sa Universal Health Care Law, dapat ay ibaba natin nang husto ang bayaring pang-medikal ng bawat Pilipino sa mga susunod na taon. Malayong malayo pa po tayo sa hangaring ito at baka lalo pa tayong aatras dahil sa zero budget ng PhilHealth,” Go stressed.
He further appealed for the welfare of indigent patients, arguing that improving PhilHealth benefits could significantly ease their financial burdens.
“Uulitin ko po, mga mahihirap na pasyente ang kawawa dito. Malaking tulong po sa indigent patients kung mapapaganda ang benepisyo ng PhilHealth para mabawasan ang kanilang gastos o out-of-pocket expenses. Imbes na ibayad sa ospital, pwede na nila itong ipambili ng gamot, pagkain, at iba pang pangangailangan,” he concluded his statement.
In his manifestation on the Senate floor on Wednesday, December 11 during the ratification of the Bicam report, Go criticized the decision to allocate zero funding to PhilHealth, emphasizing that health should remain a top priority.
“Although I commend some of the provisions advocated in the bicam report, I just want to manifest my strong reservations on some of the provisions of the bicameral conference committee report which I personally find unacceptable,” said Go.
“As chairman of the Committee on Health, advocacy ko ang health. Dapat po ang pondo ng PhilHealth ay para sa health. Kaya nga po PhilHealth,” he stressed.
He noted that lessons from the pandemic underscore the need for sustained investment in healthcare, saying, “Katumbas niyan ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino. Kaya dapat bigyan po natin ng prayoridad ang health.”
