A Negros-based workers group fearing that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) having zero government subsidy in 2025 would wreak havoc on the lives of millions of health care beneficiaries, is urging the Senate to reassess its “anti-people” decision.
General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) Secretary General Wennie Sancho said in a statement Sunday, Dec. 15, that they are condemning the decision of the Senate to slash to zero the 2025 budget for PhilHealth.
“The Filipino workers will experience burden and suffering due to their lack of access to essential healthcare services”, he said, adding “Millions of workers and their dependents will be denied medical assistance exacerbating health conditions and mortality rates”.
Senate Committee on Finance chair Senator Grace Poe confirmed last week that PhilHealth would not receive government subsidy in 2025, citing its reserve funds amounting to P600 billion.
She said that PhilHealth must use its reserve funds first.
However, Sancho argued that this decision will affect about 100 million Filipinos, of which 70 percent, are reliant on PhilHealth for their healthcare.
“Insufficient healthcare funding will undermine the country’s ability to respond to public health emergencies and pandemics”, Sancho said.
GAWA urged the senators to reassess their position and restore funding for PhilHealth.*