The Department of Finance (DOF) on Saturday expressed strong support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision to restore ₱60 billion in excess funds of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) that had been returned to the national treasury.
In a statement, the DOF said it had advised the President that with PhilHealth’s improved financial standing, “it supports a fund augmentation to boost the expansion of benefits and services, and that it fully recommends the restoration of the reverted P60 billion.”
The Finance Department added that fiscal space created by the suspension and termination of questionable flood control projects helped make the restoration possible. Marcos earlier announced the move during a visit to Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, noting that the savings largely came from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The DPWH recently trimmed its proposed 2026 budget by about ₱255 billion, following corruption allegations linked to flood control projects. The President has ordered both DPWH and the Department of Budget and Management to conduct a thorough review of the infrastructure agency’s spending plans.
According to the DOF, the reallocation will strengthen PhilHealth’s Zero Balance Billing program and allow the agency to finance broader benefits. “The expansion of services requires the infusion of funds, and we in the revenue sector will do our job so that such an important public service will be financed,” the department said.
The DOF highlighted how PhilHealth benefits have significantly expanded in recent years. Coverage for breast cancer treatment jumped from ₱100,000 to ₱1.4 million, dialysis sessions and medicines are now free for a year, and kidney transplant reimbursements increased from ₱600,000 to ₱2.1 million. Cataract benefits soared by more than 800%, while therapies and assistive devices for persons with disabilities are now covered up to ₱40,000.
Children’s health benefits were also expanded, with PhilHealth now covering optometric services, therapeutic care for severe acute malnutrition, and higher reimbursements for pediatric heart surgeries. Inpatient benefits for serious illnesses such as dengue, neonatal sepsis, and ischemic heart disease have also been raised dramatically.
