PhilHealth processes members’ transactions in Quezon City. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. has enough money for operations and member benefits in 2025 but will write to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the lack of government subsidy to state health insurer.

Dr. Israel Francis Pargas, PhilHealth spokesperson, said the state health insurer hopes the President will have time to study the impact of cutting the subsidy, which helps fund premiums for the poor, senior citizens and PWDs.

“Kakayanin naman po so far ng ating pondo (We can get by with our current funds),” he said, adding the budget will be felt in coming years as PhilHealth expands and improves member benefits without the subsidy.

He said that PhilHealth’s administrative expenses will definitely be affected by 2026 because it is dependent on social premium collection.

“Of course, we will have to adjust, but we will adapt… Gusto lang din natin i-assure sa ating mga miyembro na patuloy po ang pagbibigay ng ating mga benepisyo, pagpapalawak ng ating mga benepisyo,” Pargas said on Teleradyo Serbisyo.

(We just want to assure our members that we will continue to provide and even expand our benefits)

Lawmakers have justified the lack of subsidy, saying PhilHealth's P600-billion reserve funds indicate it is not using its money.

In a separate interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo, a lawmaker said the issue is "a question of [the agency's] leadership style." 

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House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur said disappointment with adjustments in the national budget are normal. 

"Every time kasi na nagkakaroon ng General Appropriations Act, ang default kasi na nakikita natin palagi — of course, not everybody is satisfied with the budget," he said.

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What he noted as "most contested" though is the PhilHealth budget on premium subsidies.

Sens. Risa Hontiveros, JV Ejercito and Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa have slammed the bicameral conference committee for zero subsidy while Sen. Win Gatchalian has said PhilHealth should not be given funds it will not use.

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"May sinasabi po kasi na ceiling d'yan under Universal Health Care Act na kapag umabot po sa P600 million plus, dapat po ma-invest po 'yan," Rep. Adiong said.

"And the excess of that would be used to cover up some programs for the PhilHealth, tulad po ng programs indicated under indirect contributors. Ito po 'yung senior citizens, etc," he continued.

Adiong said the excess funds can be a basis for PhilHealth to "reduce amount of membership" fees. He pointed out that PhilHealth has already hiked premiums.

He also echoed the sentiments of Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, that PhilHealth is not earning enough from its investments.

"Kaya nga po ang gusto ko malaman, is this P600 billion a savings or should it be invested right away? Kasi may investment fund pong sinasabi diyan sa charter nila," Adiong said, emphasizing that the term "savings" imply the money is not invested

"How would they arive to zeroing the budget of PhilHealth — it's actually question of leadership style din e, management 'no. Kasi malaking pondo ito, hindi siya indicated kung saan dapat ilalagay," he added.

Social media users have criticized both PhilHealth and the bicam committee and have aired concerns over the premiums that are deducted from their salaries.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday meanwhile assured PhilHealth members that the benefits will still be available to them, with or without subsidy from the 2025 national budget. — with Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News