Marcos to DOH: Ensure unhampered delivery of PhilHealth services

Marcos to DOH: Ensure unhampered delivery of PhilHealth services

(Photo from PhilHealth’s website)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday directed the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the “unhampered” delivery of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) services despite its zero government subsidy in the 2025 budget.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) in a statement, Marcos issued the order during a meeting at the Malacañan Palace.

“Make sure that services of PhilHealth remain unhampered … it (zero budget) should not affect the delivery of healthcare services,” the PCO quoted Marcos in instructing Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

Marcos reiterated the administration’s commitment to prioritizing social services in the 2025 national budget, focusing on key sectors such as education, health, economic services, infrastructure and agriculture. 

Marcos to DOH: Ensure unhampered delivery of PhilHealth services | INQToday

He also urged Herbosa to shift the DOH’s focus from cure to prevention as “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound in cure.”  

The President also stressed the need to digitize the DOH to enhance its delivery of service.

PhilHealth was initially allocated a P74.431 billion subsidy, but was reduced by the Senate to  P64.419 billion. The bicameral conference committee then decided to completely cut the allocation.

Marcos himself defended this action as he noted that even if the government did not grant PhilHealth’s subsidy in the 2025 budget, it would still have a reserve of P500 billion.

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