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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Labor groups oppose zero subsidy for PhilHealth

Labor groups oppose zero subsidy for PhilHealth

Published Dec 26, 2024 01:09 pm

CEBU CITY – Labor groups here have opposed the proposed zero subsidy for PhilHealth.

PHILHEALTH RALLY.jpg

LABOR groups oppose the proposed zero subsidy for PhilHealth during rally in front of the State health insurer’s office in Cebu City on Thursday, Dec. 26. (MyTVCebu)

About 150 members of Partido Manggagawa and Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa conducted a protest rally in front of the PhilHealth-Central Visayas here on Thursday, Dec. 26.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., do you hear the people’s demand? Restore the PhilHealth subsidy and social services budget as a Christmas gift to workers and the people. Do not be a scrooge by affirming the flawed 2025 budget,” said Alan Esponga, vice president of Partido Manggagawa Cebu-Bohol.

They said the zero subsidy will have adverse effects on people who do not have the means to access quality healthcare services.

“We call on the government not to give PhilHealth a zero budget. It has big effects on the urban poor, minimum wage earners, and even senior citizens,” said Jai-jai Ampoon, spokersperson of Sentro.

Instead of allocating zero subsidy, the government should even find ways on how to improve the country’s healthcare services, said Ampoon.

“We have one of the weakest healthcare systems. Even in public hospitals, PhilHealth cannot even cover our hospitalization,” said Ampoon.

Ampoon added that if the cause of the zero budget proposal is mismanagement, the government must run after PhilHealth officials.

Agri party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee, a staunch health advocate, said the proposal runs against the Universal Health Care Law. 

“This clearly runs against the aim of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law. What will happen to our poor countrymen who rely on the benefits of this subsidy,” said Lee who pushed for the 30 percent increase in PhilHealth benefits which was implemented last Feb. 14.

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