President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced that the government will return P60 billion to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), assuring the public that the funds will be directed toward expanding healthcare services and reinforcing the operational capacity of the state-run insurer.
Speaking at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila during an inspection of the Zero Balance Billing program, Marcos said he understood the public’s anxiety over the Department of Finance (DOF)’s earlier transfer of PhilHealth’s unused funds to the national government.
“Kahit na napatunayan na namin na hindi mababawasan ang services, siyempre nandoon pa rin ang pangamba,” he said Saturday, Sept. 20.
The President stressed that the money would now be restored to PhilHealth following savings generated from other agencies, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Yung P60 billion na ‘yan ibabalik na natin sa PhilHealth. Hindi lamang para sa pangamba ng tao kung hindi dahil gagamitin na natin ‘yan… para palawakin pa ang services ng PhilHealth,” he said.
President Marcos emphasized that the move was consistent with his administration’s priority to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
“Healthcare is the most important service the government can give. That is why pinapatibay natin nang husto, pinapalawak natin nang husto,” he said. (Argyll Geducos)
