Officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) assured members of the House of Representatives that it has sufficient funds to finance its new and expanded health benefit packages.
PhilHealth officials, led by President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., gave the assurance during a hearing conducted by the House Committee on Health chaired by Batanes Representative Ciriaco Gato Jr. on the increase in the insurance company’s benefit packages.
According to Gato, PhilHealth members can avail of the new and expanded health benefit packages worth about P271 billion.
“PhilHealth, as of Dec. 31, 2024, has P492 billion.”
PhilHealth finance officer Renato Limsiaco Jr., responding to committee on appropriations acting chairperson and Marikina City Representative Stella Luz Quimbo’s query about the agency’s cash-on-hand, replied that PhilHealth, as of Dec. 31, 2024, has P492 billion.
Limsiaco added that P203 billion will be collected from direct contributors from both the private sector and the government in 2025.
In 2024, he said the actual collection based on PhilHealth’s cash position report was P178.5 billion from direct contributions and P9.6 billion from indirect contributions.
“That’s the entire picture. But the bottom line is we really have more than enough to fund your corporate budget of P280 billion. And if I remember correctly last hearing, (you said) that you intend to spend P244 billion for benefit (packages),” Quimbo said.
Ledesma clarified that the funding amount for benefits this year is actually P271 billion, as approved by the PhilHealth Board.
“So P271 billion is the total new number for total expected benefit packages in 2025,” Quimbo said.
Limsiaco broke down PhilHealth’s P284 billion corporate budget in 2025, as follows: P271 billion for benefits expense; P12.5 billion for administration and personnel services; and P200 million for maintenance and other operating expenses.
“PhilHealth has adequate funds to sustain its new benefit packages, despite a zero subsidy this year.”
Quezon City Representative Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar observed that PhilHealth has adequate funds to sustain its new benefit packages, despite a zero subsidy this year.
Co-Pilar said the Department of Budget and Management has stated that PhilHealth has a budget surplus of P150 billion and P21 billion unfunded budget from 2023 to 2024.
“So may pondo. Liquid kayo. Kaya natin itong pondohan etong packages na ating binabanggit. Sana nga ma-implement na natin ito ng madali at maayos,” the lady legislator said.
The new PhilHealth benefits covers treatment for ischemic heart disease-acute myocardial infarction, Z Package for peritoneal dialysis, Z Package for kidney transplantation, preventive oral health services, outpatient emergency care benefit, and 50-percent adjustment in case rates packages.
Ledesma expressed hope that PhilHealth can continue to count on House members working closely with them until it fully achieves universal health coverage.
“Legislative support is critical if we hope to expand the national health insurance program to truly universal coverage. In this regard, PhilHealth respectfully submits to the guidance of the committee members on certain matters requiring legislative revision,” he said.
