By Bea Rollo
(December 16, 2024) – Health Secretary Ted Herbosa on Monday dispelled concerns about Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) budget following the bicameral committee’s decision to allocate zero government subsidy for the agency in 2025.
In a Department of Health’s (DOH) flag ceremony, Herbosa clarified that the removal of the government subsidy will not hinder PhilHealth’s services, as the agency has sufficient surplus funds to sustain its operations.
“Mali po ‘yung sinasasabi ng mga kumukontra na walang budget ang PhilHealth. Meron po. Napakalaki po ang [ia-approve] na budget ng board ng PhilHealth: P284 billion po ang budget for 2025. Ang nawala po ay government subsidy.”
According to Herbosa, who also serves as the chairman of the PhilHealth board, the agency has an excess budget of P150 billion for 2024, which will be utilized to maintain services for its members.
“Sa 2024, 63% lang po ang utilization ng pera na in-allocate ng pamahalaan para sa PhilHealth [benefits]. Mababa ‘yun, diba? Kung sa atin [sa DOH], lagapak yun – 63%. Ibig sabihin nun, nagkaroon sila ng ‘surplus’ of P150 billion,” Herbosa explained.
“Kayang-kaya bayaran ng PhilHealth ‘yung P74 billion dahil may sobra pa from last year! Tama ba?”
Herbosa assured members that the agency remains financially stable and capable of funding benefit packages.
“[So] ‘wag kayong naniniwala sa mga nababasa ninyo sa social media, lahat sila mali,” Herbosa noted.
He also called on PhilHealth to focus on disbursing payments to hospitals promptly.
Herbosa further affirmed, “Wala pong mawawalang benepisyo. Mga nananakot lang at nang-a-agitate ang nagsasabing mawawala ang benepisyo ng PhilHealth. Napakarami po ng pera ng PhilHealth.”
(AAD)
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