MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the Department of Health (DOH) to maintain the services provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for its nonpaying members.
This directive comes amid concerns over the absence of government subsidy for PhilHealth in the 2025 national budget.
The order was announced on Tuesday during discussions with Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of ensuring that PhilHealth’s services remain unaffected, even without the anticipated subsidy.
PhilHealth, a state-run health insurance company, plays a crucial role in providing medical insurance coverage to millions of Filipinos.
It serves both paying and nonpaying members, including indigents and senior citizens who rely on government support for their healthcare needs.
The potential absence of a subsidy has raised concerns about the sustainability of services offered to these groups.
Health Secretary Herbosa has been tasked with the responsibility of finding solutions to maintain continuous service for the nonpaying members.
The primary focus is to ensure that healthcare services are delivered without interruption. The DOH is expected to explore alternative funding sources and implement strategies to manage the budget constraints.
The DOH is expected to provide updates on the measures being implemented to secure PhilHealth’s financial stability.
