Following the country’s credit rating being upgraded by a Japan-based debt watcher, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to stop the transfer of the remaining P70-billion in unused funds to the national treasury.
“Now that our credit rating has been upgraded by the Rating and Investment Information, we have no reason to push through with the remittance of the PhilHealth fund to the national government. Instead, we can use it to expand the budget allotted for health services,” Hontiveros said.
“The President himself said that the funds we save in the process of paying the interest on our debt can be utilized for the good of our citizens,” she continued.
The state health insurer had transferred P20 billion to the general fund on May 10, and is set to transfer P10 billion more on August 21, P30 billion on October 16, and P30 billion on May 26, 2025.
“In my opinion, as an author and advocate of the Universal Health Care Act, Philhealth members are at a disadvantage in this fund transfer. This raises serious questions about the credibility of Philhealth’s leadership and management in fulfilling the mandate of the UHC Act,” she expressed.
Hontiveros has introduced amendments to strengthen the UHC Act and ensure that funds of PhilHealth obtained from any source will remain with the state health insurer, and used to lower the premium contribution rates of members and increase the benefits for patients in need.
“With this amendment, there will be no doubt or alternative opinion. Here, the mandate of the legislature will be crystal clear, and will preclude any confusion — genuine or otherwise.”
