Legarda presses government to restore full PhilHealth budget, seeks clarity on missing funds

Senator Loren Legarda called for full transparency on PhilHealth’s funding during deliberations on the 2026 national budget, stressing that mandated subsidies must be properly allocated and released.

In her interpellation on the General Principles of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, Legarda raised concerns over gaps in PhilHealth’s budget for 2024, 2025, and 2026. She asked where the funds were originally placed, why they were removed, and how the government plans to fully restore them.

Legarda noted that PhilHealth received zero national government subsidy in 2025, after the proposed ₱74.431 billion under the NEP was completely deleted in the final budget. This amount included ₱53.134 billion for the insurance premiums of indirect contributors under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP); ₱21.17 billion for the improvement of benefit packages under the Universal Health Care Law; and ₱121.17 million for the health insurance coverage of beneficiaries under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) Program. Despite the removal of these allocations, PhilHealth continued to serve these sectors, placing additional pressure on its operating funds and reserves.

She also questioned a 2024 incident in which the Department of Finance reportedly tapped PhilHealth’s reserves. Legarda said this amount must be returned directly to PhilHealth. “That money belongs to PhilHealth,” she emphasized.

For 2026, the NEP proposes ₱53.262 billion for PhilHealth, mainly from sin tax collections. Legarda warned that this may be inadequate. The House has since added ₱60 billion, raising the proposed subsidy to ₱113.262 billion. This increase is very much welcome, Legarda affirmed, stating that the President had committed to restoring PhilHealth’s full funding to strengthen UHC benefits.

However, she pointed out that the additional ₱60 billion still does not replenish PhilHealth’s reserves, which were reduced in previous years. She asserted that providing the complete allocation is necessary to carry out the law’s mandate.

“We want to ensure PhilHealth receives the full, clearly earmarked funds it is entitled to—funds that are sufficient and readily available so it can deliver quality, affordable health care to every Filipino,” Legarda said. She further emphasized that beyond restoring missing amounts, the national budget must always comply with the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, which requires clear and predictable earmarking for PhilHealth every fiscal year. (30)