P60-B excess funds to be reallocated to PhilHealth via 2026 budget—Palace
The PhilHealth GAMOT program expands access to essential medicines, covering 75 drugs for common and chronic illnesses. (MB file)
Malacañang said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is currently working with the Congress and the Executive Branch to ensure that the P60-billion unutilized funds will be restored for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
The DBM confirmed this in a statement issued by Malacañang on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
“The DBM is working with Congress and the Executive Branch to ensure that the ₱60 billion will be reallocated to PhilHealth through the 2026 budget, in line with the President’s directive," the DBM said.
"This is the clearest and most transparent way to strengthen the National Health Insurance Program and directly benefit Filipinos," it added.
The DBM further said that "a corresponding special provision may also be included under the budget of PhilHealth in the 2026 budget, indicating the nature of the ₱60 billion and specifying its intended use.”
It can be recalled that President Marcos has ordered the return of the state-run PhilHealth’s P60 billion in excess funds, which had earlier been remitted to the national treasury under the 2024 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
According to the Department of Finance (DOF), the restoration of the money will allow PhilHealth to meet its zero-balance billing program obligations.