Dennis Gasgonia

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) manually process their members’ transactions at PhilHealth National Capital Region Central Branch in Quezon City on Tuesday, September 28, following the shutdown of their online system due to a cyberattack last week. 
PhilHealth advise their members and their qualified dependents to present a copy of their PhilHealth identification card, member data record, or other supporting documents to access health benefits amid the temporary shutdown of its online system.Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

PHILHEALTH

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Healthcare advocates and practitioners on Thursday urged the government to stop diverting funds intended for PhilHealth and to fully finance the state health insurer, saying this is the key to ensuring that all Filipinos receive equal access to essential healthcare services regardless of their membership classification. The appeal came after Executive Secretary Ralph Recto suggested that paying members of PhilHealth should receive higher benefits than non-paying members.In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 convenor Dr. Tony Dans said creating different benefit packages for paying and non-paying members would only divide Filipinos and distract from the real issue. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/6/26/philhealth-eyes-p400-billion-in-payouts-amid-push-for-bigger-benefits-for-paying-members-1300">PhilHealth eyes P400-billion in payouts amid push for bigger benefits for paying members </a> </div>&quot;We want to educate the people. Hindi problema ang kulang na benefit. The real problem is kulang ang binibigay ng gobyerno,&quot; Dans said.In an open letter addressed to Recto, more than 70 healthcare organizations argued that the dissatisfaction of working Filipinos over their PhilHealth benefits stems not from the coverage received by indigent members, but from the government&#x27;s failure to fully finance the program. &quot;This is not because indigent patients receive too much, or to use your own words, &#x27;panalo sila&#x27;,&quot; the letter read.&quot;This is because government is failing to shoulder its lawful share in financing the premiums of the poor. Creating a separate tier of PhilHealth benefits does not solve the problem. It simply shifts attention away from the real problem — government&#x27;s failure to meet its obligation under the Universal Health Care Act.”The groups also argued that Recto&#x27;s proposal runs counter to the principles of the Universal Health Care Act, which seeks to provide all Filipinos with equitable access to quality health services without causing financial hardship, while prioritizing those who cannot afford care. Dans said earmarked revenues for PhilHealth from tobacco and sweetened beverage taxes have declined in recent years. According to him, collections allocated to the state insurer dropped from around P84 billion in 2023 to less than P70 billion by 2026—which is less than the amount needed to pay for the premiums for indirect contributors or the non-paying members.He added that the funding gap could still be addressed if revenues intended for PhilHealth were not diverted for other purposes.&quot;May diversion. It&#x27;s spent on other things. After that, DBM has to release the money which is even less. So saan napunta yung sin tax money? Saan napunta yung appropriation from Congress? Saan napunta yung pangangailangan ng taumbayan? The only time the DBM complied with the GAA was 2025, because the budget was zero,&quot; Dans said. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/6/15/philhealth-clarifies-24-hour-confinement-rule-says-patient-would-have-gotten-p73k-for-p2m-surgery-0904">PhilHealth clarifies 24-hour confinement rule, says patient would have gotten P73k for P2M surgery </a> </div>Healthcare advocates warned that implementing a policy that grants higher benefits to paying members could further disadvantage vulnerable sectors that rely most on PhilHealth coverage.&quot;Clearly those with less will receive less benefits. Iisa naman yung bulsa natin, yung PhilHealth fund. When you increase benefits for one group, you reduce benefits for other groups,&quot; Dans said.The coalition urged Recto not to institutionalize unequal benefit packages and instead ensure that PhilHealth receives its legally mandated funding. If the government decides to increase benefits, they said, the improvements should apply to all members rather than a select group. The organizations have yet to formally submit their open letter to the Executive Secretary. However, they said they hope the renewed public discussion on healthcare financing will prompt the government to address their concerns and strengthen PhilHealth&#x27;s capacity to provide universal health coverage.<div>  </div>

Healthcare advocates and practitioners on Thursday urged the government to stop diverting funds intended for PhilHealth and to fully finance the state health insurer

Healthcare advocates and practitioners on Thursday urged the government to stop diverting funds intended for PhilHealth and to fully finance the state health insurer

Healthcare groups urge gov't to stop diverting PhilHealth funds

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Healthcare groups urge gov't to stop diverting PhilHealth funds

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 02, 2026 06:51 PM PHT

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