PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to guarantee the continued and uninterrupted provision of services by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). This directive comes despite PhilHealth receiving zero subsidy in the recently approved 2025 national budget.
President Marcos, at the 2025 national budget signing in December, had already pledged PhilHealth’s continued operation. During a Tuesday meeting at Malacañan Palace, he reiterated this commitment to Secretary Herbosa, instructing, “Make sure that services of PhilHealth remain unhampered… it (zero budget) should not affect the delivery of healthcare services.”
The President reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to prioritizing social services in the 2025 budget, specifically highlighting education, health, economic services, infrastructure, and agriculture.
Beyond PhilHealth, President Marcos urged a shift in the Department of Health’s (DOH) focus from treatment to prevention, emphasizing the importance of preventative measures. He also stressed the need for DOH digitalization to improve service delivery and efficiency.
metrosundaily
