Marcos: No reduction of PhilHealth benefits

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Photo from the Presidential Communications Office

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday assured the public that the benefits provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) would not be reduced even by half a cent as more services will be included in the PhilHealth package starting 2025.

This was his reaction to the House of Representatives’ proposed one-year suspension of contributions if it is deemed that the state-run insurer’s finances are healthy.

“Let me be very clear. I really wish sana naman yung mga nagko-comment tungkol sa PhilHealth subsidy, pag-aralan niyo nang mas malalim-lalim,” he said.

(Let me be very clear. I really wish that those commenting about the PhilHealth subsidy would take the time to study it more thoroughly.)

“Kahit may subsidy, kahit walang subsidy, kahit anong contribution, all of these issues, hindi mababawasan ang serbisyo ng PhilHealth,” he added. “So I would like to just assure everybody. Huwag ninyong inaalaala na mababawasan ang serbisyo kahit na kanino. Para sa senior para sa mahirap, para sa middle class. Walang mababawasan kahit isang kusing. Quite the opposite, dadagdagan natin iyan in 2025,” he added.

(With or without subsidy, whatever the contribution will be, all of these issues, PhilHealth services will not be reduced. So I would like to just assure everybody. Don’t worry that the services will be reduced for anyone—whether for seniors, for the poor, or the middle class. Not even half a cent will be removed. Quite the opposite, we will increase that in 2025.)

In his speech before the House adjourned its session on Wednesday, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the legislative chamber would probe PhilHealth in 2025 to check if funds are being managed properly.

“Why are we doing this? Because the Filipinos deserve no less. PhilHealth exists to provide security and comfort in times of medical emergencies.  It should not hoard resources at the expense of its members.  If we can alleviate the burden of contributions without compromising its sustainability, we will do so,” he said.