President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. answers questions in an ambush interview at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City on February 28, 2024. (Photo by JEAN MANGALUZ / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said that the review of the increased PhilHealth contribution is still ongoing but a conclusion is coming soon.
PhilHealth contributions have increased from 4 percent to 5 percent of the employee’s monthly salary in 2024. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa has asked Marcos to suspend the hike, as Philhealth had enough money to give benefits.
READ: Marcos wants PhilHealth to prove bigger contributions mean more benefits
“If there are any benefits, if we can justify the increase. Then we’ll do it, but if not, we won’t. It is that simple. It’s just a very straightforward cause-benefit analysis. We’re still under study, but we’ll conclude very, very soon,” Marcos said, speaking partly in Filipino, in an ambush interview before leaving for Australia.
PhilHealth chief Emmanuel Ledesma previously stated that the Palace has no objections to the impending increase.
READ: Palace didn’t object to hike in premium, says PhilHealth chief
However, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil noted that the review for a possible suspension is ongoing.
Marcos has repeatedly stated that if PhilHealth could justify its increase through its services, there is no reason to suspend it.
“PhilHealth has been expanding its services and trying to reach more people, trying to engage more people,” Marcos said.
READ: Herbosa: PhilHealth has enough money, premium hike delay won’t hurt
Herbosa said that he saw nothing wrong with delaying the contribution hike further.
“My position is I think PhilHealth has enough money to actually continue to give benefits. It will not be hurt by delaying the increase in premium,” Herbosa said.
PhilHealth contribution hikes are meant to increase yearly from 2019 until they reach 5 percent under the Universal Health Care Law. The increases were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the hikes have now begun in 2024.