Statement of Sen. Bong Go
RE: Scheduled increase of PhilHealth Contributions

I am appealing to our government finance managers and fellow legislators to highly consider the deferment of the implementation of the increase in PhilHealth contribution rate for 2021.

Base sa usapan namin ni Pangulong Duterte, sang-ayon naman po siya na ipagpaliban pansamantala muna ang pagtaas sa rates ng contributions ng PhilHealth habang may pandemya pa tayong kinakaharap.

Subalit, alam rin ng Pangulo na kailangan ng batas para maisakatuparan ang deferment, at kailangan ring masigurong hindi maaapektuhan ang serbisyo ng PhilHealth sa taumbayan. Sinabi niya na kung may maipapasang batas ang Lehislatibo na naglalayong ipatupad ang deferment, o kung may kailangang aprubahan na dagdag na pondo mula gobyerno para hindi maantala ang serbisyo ng PhilHealth, pipirmahan niya ito pagkatapos mapag-aralan ng mabuti.

Nakausap ko rin si Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado at sang-ayon rin siya rito kung kaya't pinag-aaralan ngayon ng DBM kung kayang ma-augment ng gobyerno ang kinakailangang halaga ng PhilHealth para hindi maapektuhan ng deferment ang serbisyo na dapat matanggap ng mga Pilipino mula sa PhilHealth.

The government, as a whole, must do its best to unburden Filipinos by shouldering the cost while ensuring that the UHC law is implemented and the services of PhilHealth are unhampered.

Since the increase in PhilHealth contributions is mandated by an existing law, specifically the UHC law, we are currently studying possible legislative interventions to pursue the deferment at this time.

One option is to propose an amendatory bill that will specifically address the specific provision in the UHC law mandating the said increase. Another option is to include a provision in the proposed Bayanihan 3 bill that would allow moving statutory deadlines and timelines for payments required by law such as, but not limited, to increase and payment of PhilHealth premiums.

Whether we amend the law or augment the funds of PhilHealth, let us work together to find a viable solution to achieve universal health care for all without imposing unnecessary burden to ordinary Filipinos during this challenging time.

Gawin natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya para mapagaan ang pinapasan ng taumbayan. Hirap na ang ating mga kababayan, huwag na natin silang mas pahirapan pa. Karamihan nga sa kanila nawalan ng trabaho. Paano natin pagbabayarin ang ordinaryong pilipino na nawalan na nga ng kabuhayan.