Senator Erwin Tulfo criticized the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) during a Senate hearing after learning that eyeglasses and hearing devices are still not part of the benefits for senior citizens.
During the session of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, Tulfo questioned the agency’s provisions for the elderly. “Tuloy-tuloy po ba yung pagbibigay ninyo ng mga antipara or prescription glasses, mga wheelchair, saklay sa mga senior citizen natin, ‘yung mga walking device, hearing devices, mayroon po ba, ongoing pa rin po ba ‘yan? Kasi parang wala na ako naririnig,” the senator said.
PhilHealth official Jojit Mislang confirmed that eyeglasses and some hearing aids are not yet covered. “Sa antipara po and some hearing devices right now, hindi pa siya covered ni PhilHealth. Doon po sa mobility, dun po sa mga wheelchair, recently included lang po sa benefits ni PhilHealth,” he explained. Mislang added that the Department of Health (DOH) was consulted in developing benefit packages but eyeglasses were not included exclusively for seniors.
Tulfo expressed frustration over the delay, pointing out that seniors badly need such devices. “Last year pa po sinasabi na mayroon na raw, bibigay na ‘yung mga salamin, mga hearing aid. ‘Yan ang kailangan ng ating mga senior citizens,” he stressed. He further noted that basic items like eyeglasses or hearing aids cost around P900 to P1,000 and yet remain inaccessible to many elderly Filipinos. Tulfo has directed the committee secretary to summon PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that over 800,000 indigent seniors are still on the waitlist for the government’s social pension program. As of July 31, 2025, 4 million are already beneficiaries, while 834,158 remain waiting for inclusion.
DSWD Director Alfrey Gulla admitted the backlog persists due to limited funds. “Kaya matagal because wala rin po tayong dagdag na pondo kaya ‘yung iba talaga naghihintay… we don’t like to say this, ‘yung iba kapag may namatay saka lang siya may replacement,” he explained.
The total budget allocation for the program has reached more than P49 million, with around P10 million still to be disbursed.
