Senator Bong Go renewed his call for a stronger and more extensive information campaign by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), stressing that millions of Filipinos remain unaware of their benefits despite being automatic members under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.
Speaking at the Senate plenary, Go linked persistent gaps in public awareness to broader structural problems in health financing, particularly the zero-budget allocation for PhilHealth in 2025 and the earlier transfer of P60 billion in so-called excess funds to the National Treasury.
The veteran legislator warned that these decisions, taken together, slowed progress toward the full implementation of universal health care and directly affected patients who could have benefited from expanded health services.
Recalling his tenure as then Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health in 2024, the seasoned lawmaker began by outlining the committee’s work during that period and the outcomes that followed from sustained legislative oversight.
“Mr. President, maaaring hindi po ito napapansin ng mga kababayan natin, noong 2024, nagkaroon po tayo ng 14 hearings sa Committee on Health during the time na ako po’y Chairperson nito. At including the health emergency allowances, finally, nabayaran na po yung HEA ng mga healthworkers na P27 billion nung 2024, at last year, P6.7 billion ang nabayaran po sa mga health emergency allowances na due naman o sa mga healthworkers dahil pinaghirapan nila ito at pinagpawisan. Pinagtrabahuan po nila ito noong panahon ng pandemya,” the senator said.
He explained that discussions during those hearings also focused on PhilHealth’s finances, particularly the controversial transfer of P60 billion that was justified at the time as excess funds. According to Go, even before the courts ruled on the matter, he had already raised ethical concerns over the move.
During the same period, he said the Committee on Health consistently urged PhilHealth to expand and improve its benefit packages.
Go acknowledged that some reforms were eventually implemented, but maintained that these should have been done earlier.
“Wala naman talagang excess funds ang PhilHealth dahil kulang pa po itong pondo ng PhilHealth sa pagpapagamot ng bawat Pilipino.”
“Sa ating pagdinig sa Committee on Health, nangako po ang PhilHealth noong December of 2024, na taasan nila yung mga case rates. Dinoble nila. Marami silang mga provision na dinagdag na po – libreng check-up sa ngipin, sa mata – dinagdag nila. Eh kung ginawa nila ‘yun noong early part ng 2024, sana wala pong tinatawag na excess funds ang PhilHealth. Wala naman talagang excess funds ang PhilHealth dahil kulang pa po itong pondo ng PhilHealth sa pagpapagamot ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.
Go emphasized that despite these adjustments, the country remains far from realizing the full promise of universal health care.
“We are still very very far yet from the full implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law. Napakalayo pa po natin sa ngayon,” he said.
Go reiterated that the Senate Committee on Health, through its regular hearings, repeatedly pushed PhilHealth to broaden its benefit coverage, resulting in the removal of several restrictive policies that had long burdened patients.
“Sa ating monthly hearings noon sa Komite, we kept on urging PhilHealth to expand its benefit packages. Nagbunga naman ang ating pangungulit as they were able to act on some reforms. Nagpapasalamat rin po tayo sa mga bagong benefit packages para sa dental services, optometric services – sa mata, yung 24-hour policy nila na kailangan mong magpa-admit, bago ka i-cover ng PhilHealth, tinanggal na po nila. Nag-introduce sila ng emergency outpatient benefit packages, at ito pong 90-day limit nila. Noon ay 90 days lang ang icocover ng PhilHealth, ngayon, tinanggal na po nila ito. Salamat po sa PhilHealth Board na napansin ninyo po ito,” he said.
Go also highlighted reforms targeting policies he described as outdated and harmful to poor patients.
“We also successfully advocated for the repeal of outdated, illogical, and anti-poor regulations like the Single Period of Confinement Policy, 24-hour confinement policy and the 45-day benefit limit. Poor Filipino patients can greatly benefit from these reforms,” he said.
However, Go cautioned that reforms would have limited impact if Filipinos remained unaware of them.
He pointed to low registration rates in PhilHealth’s primary care programs as evidence of the need for a more aggressive information drive.
“Less than 30% palang po ang nagpaparehistro sa kanilang Konsulta o Yakap Program, na dapat po’y alam po ito ng Pilipino.”
“Dapat lang alam po ito ng Pilipino at mag-intensify po ang kanilang information campaign. Dahil marami pa rin po sa mga Pilipino ang hindi alam na myembro sila ng PhilHealth. Less than 30% palang po ang nagpaparehistro sa kanilang Konsulta o Yakap Program, na dapat po’y alam po ito ng Pilipino. Tandaan po natin, lahat po ng Pilipino ay miyembro po ng PhilHealth. Subalit, less than 30% pa rin po. Kailangan pa-igtingin nila ang information campaign ng PhilHealth,” Go said.
As part of efforts to improve awareness and access, Go disclosed that he filed Senate Bill No. 170, which seeks to mandate the issuance of a PhilHealth identification card to members. He explained that a simple, recognizable ID could help reassure patients of their coverage when seeking hospital care.
“I also filed Senate Bill 170 to mandate PhilHealth to issue a PhilHealth ID. Kahit anong ID po, yung ID system natin, baka pwedeng i-tie up ninyo po, para alam po ng mga kababayan natin at mayroon silang maipakita na ID na hindi sila takot na magpa-ospital. Meron silang panghahawakan. Simpleng ID card or tie up sa ating National ID basta malaman lang ng Pilipino na covered sila ng PhilHealth,” he said.
Concluding his manifestation, Go returned to the broader issue of health financing, urging adequate and proper budgeting for PhilHealth and the optimal use of its funds to advance universal health care goals.
“Mr. President, we are still very far from the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Law. To be able to achieve the goals of the UHC, bigyan sana natin ng maayos at sapat na budget ang PhilHealth at hikayatin ang PhilHealth na i-maximize po ang paggamit ng kanilang pondo para sa kanilang mga health-related programs and services,” he said.
