The Department of Health (DOH) welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to return P60 billion in surplus funds to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa described the move as a crucial step toward strengthening the country’s Universal Health Care (UHC) program.

Herbosa, who also chairs the PhilHealth Board of Directors, said the reinstated funds will boost efforts to expand health benefits and services nationwide, reduce the financial strain on patients, and ensure that every Filipino has access to quality medical care.

The P60 billion funds, originally remitted by PhilHealth to the national treasury under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, are earmarked for several health initiatives.

These include Health Emergency Allowances (P27.45 billion), Medical Assistance to Indigents and Financially Incapacitated Patients (P10 billion); procurement of medical equipment (P4.1 billion); enhancement of health facilities, including three DOH-run hospitals (P5.06 billion); and counterpart financing for foreign-assisted projects addressing social determinants of health (P13 billion).

According to the DOH, the fund’s return to PhilHealth supports the goal of raising the government’s share in current health expenditures from about 40 percent to 70 percent, a move expected to significantly lower out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

Herbosa pointed out that while Zero Balance Billing is already being implemented in DOH hospitals, with the department currently covering more costs than PhilHealth, the goal is for the state health insurer to eventually shoulder majority, if not all, of the hospital bills.

“We thank President Marcos Jr., for recognizing the tireless work of our healthcare workers. They are dedicated to making essential health services more accessible to every Filipino family,” he said.