Joint Statement on Expansion of Philhealth Benefits

Joint Statement on Expansion of Philhealth Benefits

We commend PhilHealth for its rapid expansion of benefits in recent years, making them more commensurate with the increased premium contributions implemented beginning in 2021.

At the same time, we recognize that the long-term sustainability of the National Health Insurance Fund—and its capacity for further benefit expansion to fully realize the promise of the Universal Health Care Act—depends on the timely and complete payment of premiums by all contributors.

As private employers, we remain steadfast in fulfilling our responsibility to remit both our employees’ PhilHealth contributions and our share faithfully and on time. Collectively, we support PhilHealth’s efforts to strengthen premium collection among all direct contributors.

We likewise call on government to ensure the timely and adequate remittance of -premiums for indirect contributors, particularly the poor and vulnerable, mindful of the enduring lesson of the COVID-19 pandemic that a nation’s health is only as strong as its weakest link.

As the Philippines advances as an Upper Middle-Income Country, Universal Health Care must become a reality for every Filipino. A strong and sustainably financed PhilHealth is not only essential to realizing the promise of Universal Health Care—it is an investment in the health, productivity, and prosperity of every Filipino, and in the country’s long-term economic future.

We urge PhilHealth to always adhere to transparency, accountability and all other principles of good governance in all its undertakings