SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go reminded the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to exercise prudent and efficient utilization of public funds after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of PhP25.1 billion insurance premiums for 8,385,849 qualified and enrolled Filipino indigents.

“Nagagalak po tayo na nakapag-release na po ng P25.1 billion na pondo po para sa one-year health insurance, PhilHealth premium po ito ng 8.3 million qualified Filipino indigents,” Go expressed.

“Lalo na po sa panahon ngayon na dahan-dahan pang bumabangon ang ekonomiya, marami sa mga kababayan natin ang nawalan po ng trabaho at hanapbuhay, malaking bagay po ‘yon na sasagutin ng PhilHealth ang kanilang pagbayad sa medical services, (itong) mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Maa-avail po nila ang medical services rin po thru PhilHealth, ito pong Universal Health Care dahil bawat Pilipino po ay miyembro po ng PhilHealth,” he added.

According to DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, the fund will be sourced from authorized allotments in the 2023 national budget, expressing, “The COVID-19 pandemic made us realize the importance of a stronger healthcare system, so we are working hard to make it more accessible to the people, especially those who need it the most.”

The senator, as Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, then highlighted that DBM’s approval of PhilHealth’s budget signifies a significant step towards ensuring the latter’s continuous operations and effective implementation of healthcare programs.

As he advocates for greater access to healthcare services, Go welcomed the development, emphasizing the importance of a well-funded PhilHealth to address the health needs of Filipinos.

It can be recalled that Go has been pushing for a substantial budget allocation to guarantee uninterrupted healthcare coverage. His efforts, along with the collective support from fellow legislators, resulted in the approval of a budget that aligns with PhilHealth’s objectives.

“Ako naman bilang senador, talagang isinulong natin ito, itong special provisions sa 2023 GAA to use the increase of PhP21 billion we allocated na subsidy for PhilHealth, for the improvement ng kanilang mga benefit packages, including po ‘yung para sa mga dialysis at medical, including (din) po ‘yung mental health coverage po,” explained Go.

“Asahan n’yo po bilang chairman ng Committee on Health, gagawin ko po ang lahat ng aking makakaya at ang apela ko po sa PhilHealth na siguraduhin natin na up to the last centavo, nagagamit po ang pondo ng taumbayan at walang masayang dahil bawat piso, bawat sentimo ay napakahalaga po ‘yan,” he stressed.

Go also earlier filed Senate Bill No. 190, which seeks to mandate PhilHealth to provide free dialysis to all its members.

If passed into law, SBN 190 or the proposed “Free Dialysis Act of 2022” will task PhilHealth, in consultation with the Health Technology Assessment Council, to develop a comprehensive dialysis benefit package that shall fully cover all costs of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatments, sessions and procedures done in PhilHealth accredited-health facilities.

“Ako naman po (ay) hindi ako mangangako sa inyo. Susubukan ko lang po kung anong pwede kong maitulong pa sa inyo para mabawasan po ang inyong paghihirap sa paghihingi ng serbisyo medikal lalung-lalo na po ‘yung mga dialysis patients,” Go reassured.

“Ako naman, gusto kong gumaling po kayo. Magtulungan lang po tayo, nandito lang po ako para tumulong rin po sa inyo sa abot po ng aking makakaya,” he added.