Officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) assured members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday 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 on Wednesday by the House Committee on Health, chaired by Batanes Rep. 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 finance officer Renato Limsiaco Jr., responding to the committee on appropriations acting chairperson and Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo’s query about the agency’s cash on hand, replied that PhilHealth had P492 billion as of Dec. 31, 2024.
He added that P203 billion will be collected from direct private and government contributors in 2025. In 2024, based on PhilHealth’s cash position report, the actual collection 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 have more than enough to fund your corporate budget of P280 billion. And if I remember it 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 P271 billion, as approved by the PhilHealth Board.
“So P271 billion is the new number for expected benefit packages in 2025,” Quimbo said.
Limsiaco broke down PhilHealth’s P284 billion corporate budget in 2025 as follows: P271 billion for benefits expenses, P12.5 billion for administration and personnel services, and P200 million for maintenance and other operating expenses.
Quezon City Rep. Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar observed that PhilHealth has adequate funds to sustain its new benefit packages despite receiving zero subsidies this year.
She said the Department of Budget and Management has stated that PhilHealth has a budget surplus of P150 billion and an unfunded budget of P21 billion 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,” she said.
The new PhilHealth benefits cover ischemic heart disease-acute myocardial infarction treatment, Z Package for peritoneal dialysis, 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 expand the national health insurance program to universal coverage. In this regard, PhilHealth respectfully submits to the guidance of the committee members on certain matters requiring legislative revision,” he said.
