Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa clarified on Monday that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has a budget for 2025.
He explained that PhilHealth has a budget of P284 billion, with only the government subsidy removed.
“What those opposing are saying is incorrect; they assert that there is no budget for PhilHealth. There is, in fact, a budget. The PhilHealth Board is set to approve a significant budget of 284 billion pesos for 2025. The only thing that has been removed is the government subsidy,” he said.
Secretary Herbosa further explained that P273 billion of this budget will be allocated for benefit expenses, while P12 billion will cover administrative expenses, and P0.3 billion is designated for capital outlay.
The Health Secretary assured the public that PhilHealth can still provide benefits, emphasizing that some individuals are merely agitating the situation.
He also clarified that it is the responsibility of the Department of Health (DOH) to deliver health services, while PhilHealth’s role is to cover the necessary financial expenses.
“PhilHealth can still provide all the benefits to its members. No benefits will be lost. Those who are spreading fear and agitation by claiming that PhilHealth benefits will disappear are simply creating panic. PhilHealth has sufficient funds,” he remarked.
“Health services are provided by our 87 hospitals (DOH) and primary care facilities, and PhilHealth’s job is solely to pay all these hospitals.”
