PRESS RELEASE
September 6, 2024

The Healthy Philippines Alliance (HPA), amplifying the voices of its members who are persons
living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), demanded the government to stop the transfer of
what remains from the P90-B unused funds in Philhealth, return the portion that has already been
transferred to the national treasury in recent months, and utilize these funds to immediately
expand benefit packages for the treatment of NCDs such as cancers, heart disease, diabetes,
and mental health diseases.
“The government needs to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses of Filipinos on health care services
by 30% or lower. Philhealth’s unused funds should rightfully be allocated to address current
healthcare gaps. The Filipino people particularly those who are considered indigents, deserve a
substantial increase in financial support from the government to prevent, treat, and manage
diseases that require long-term care,” said Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, former Health Secretary and
co-convenor of the HPA.
The HPA further urged Philhealth to expedite the development and roll out of benefit packages
for diseases beyond the 5 major NCDs namely cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic
respiratory disease, and mental health conditions. This means implementing subsidies for the
treatment of additional chronic and rare disorders such as rheumatic conditions, psoriatic, and
immunologic diseases, among others.
“We urge patient and civil society representation in the Philhealth board to ensure the voice of the
patient is reflected in all health-decision making processes. Philhealth funds should be used to
expand benefits and reduce out-of-pocket expenses rather than be returned to the national
treasury. Health should be seen as an investment in people, families and communities. Our fiscal
spending should reflect this fundamental belief that health and economic development are
inextricably linked together,” said Karen Villanueva, President of the Philippine Association of
Patient Organizations (PAPO), an HPA member organization.
As a matter of fact, Republic Act 11223 or the UHC Law mandates under Section 11 that “the
excess of the PhilHealth reserve fund shall be used to increase the Program’s benefits and to
decrease the amount of members’ contributions.”
“We should not allow the transfer of Philhealth’s unused funds to push through. It is mainly
intended to pay for the health care service needs of Filipinos. Diverting it elsewhere violates the
UHC Law and will deprive patients and persons living with NCDs of the increased benefits they
desperately need,” said Maria Fatima Villena, Board Member of The Policy Center, also an HPA
member organization.
Philhealth’s total unused funds of P90-B will be remitted to the national treasury in tranches. To
date, P20 billion had been remitted in May, P10 billion last August, P30 billion will be transferred
in October and P29.9 billion in November.
END
Contact Person :
Mariz Wee
Media Consultant
HealthJustice
0998-885-1080 / +974-669-86655
stelamarieamante@gmail.com
Patricia Loren M. Reyes
Communications Officer
HealthJustice
Healthy Philippines Alliance
+639760085498
plamangune@gmail.com