P25-B allotted for poor’s PhilHealth premium

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P25.16 billion to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to cover a year’s worth of health insurance premiums of over 8 million Filipino indigents.

The Special Allotment Release Order was approved by DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman last May 23, according to Malacañang.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. mandated his Cabinet to ensure that Filipinos are provided with affordable health care,” the budget chief was quoted as saying. He added that the coronavirus pandemic served as an eye-opener to the government regarding the importance of providing medical attention to the citizens, especially the poor.

The DBM classified indigent persons as those with no visible means of income, or whose income is insufficient for family subsistence, as identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, based on specific criteria.

The fund will be sourced from authorized allotments under the 2023 General Appropriations Act pursuant to Republic Act 11936.

The DBM last April also greenlighted the release of more than P42 billion for the health insurance coverage of 8.5 million senior citizens for one year.