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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Economy devider Business groups back wider PhilHealth benefits, demand timely premium payments

Business groups back wider PhilHealth benefits, demand timely premium payments

Published Jul 8, 2026 12:46 pm

Three of the country’s largest business groups have backed the expansion of benefits provided by state-run Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), but stressed that timely and complete premium payments are crucial to sustain the national health insurer’s finances and further widen coverage.

In a joint statement on Wednesday, July 8, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) welcomed PhilHealth’s rapid benefit expansion in recent years.

The business groups said the wider benefits have become more commensurate with the higher premium contributions implemented beginning in 2021.

However, they warned that the long-term sustainability of the National Health Insurance Fund, as well as PhilHealth’s capacity to further expand benefits and fully realize the promise of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, depends on the timely and complete payment of premiums by all contributors.

“As private employers, we remain steadfast in fulfilling our responsibility to remit both our employees’ PhilHealth contributions and our share faithfully and on time,” the three business groups said.

The groups also expressed support for PhilHealth’s efforts to strengthen premium collection among all direct contributors.

At the same time, they called on the government to ensure the timely and adequate remittance of premiums for indirect contributors, particularly poor and vulnerable Filipinos.

The business groups said the Covid-19 pandemic underscored that “a nation’s health is only as strong as its weakest link.”

With the Philippines advancing as an upper-middle-income country (UMIC), FINEX, MAP, and PCCI said UHC must become a reality for every Filipino.

“A strong and sustainably financed PhilHealth is not only essential to realizing the promise of UHC—it is an investment in the health, productivity, and prosperity of every Filipino, and in the country’s long-term economic future,” the groups said.

They also urged PhilHealth to consistently uphold transparency, accountability, and other principles of good governance in all its undertakings. - Dexter Barro II

Related Tags

Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)
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