Many Filipinos will be affected if the government decides to abolish the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) especially during this time of COVID-19 pandemic, the state health insurer’s spokesman said on Friday.
“Nirerespeto po natin ang views, ang pananaw ng ating pangulo patungkol sa bagay na iyan. Pero syempre po, kung mawawala po ang PhilHealth ay napakalaki po ng magiging epekto nito sa ating bayan ,” said PhilHealth spokesman Rey Balena in a public briefing.
Balena said that PhilHealth helps millions of Filipinos every year.
“Napakagandang programa po ng National Health Insurance Program at taun-taon po marami po, milyong Pilipino ang natutulungan po nito. Kaya napakalaking kawalan po kung mawawala ang Philhealth. Kailangan na kailangan ito lalo sa ganitong panahon ng pandemya ,” he said.
President Duterte is eyeing to abolish or privatize the state health insurer amid the corruption allegations hounding the agency, said Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday, September 17.
Several officials of PhilHealth will face criminal and administrative charges, including its former president Ricardo Morales, as recommended by the Department of Justice.
Duterte appointed former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Dante Gierran as the new chief of PhilHealth. Early this month, Gierran expressed optimism that he would be able to address the alleged irregularities surrounding the agency.
Employees of PhilHealth will be supporting the leadership of Gierran, said Balena.
“Hundred percent na suporta at kooperasyon ang amin pong ibibigay kay President and CEO Dante Gierran. Alam nyo, kahit sino naman po ang umuupo at nagiging leader dito sa PhilHealth ay lagi naman po na iyon ang aming ibinibigay--isang daan porsyento na suporta at kooperasyon sa anumang mga reporma na kanila pong ipapatupad sa PhilHealth ,” said Balena.