MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has earmarked P300 billion for its total benefit package budget for 2025, marking one of the agency’s largest allocations to date, its top official announced.

PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin Mercado revealed the figure during a press briefing at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), where officials unveiled the expanded benefit package for kidney transplant patients. The P2.1 million coverage for kidney transplant procedures is among the new programs under the 2025 fund.

“We have set aside P300 billion for our benefit packages this year, including the post-kidney transplant package. This allocation is based on actuarial projections and utilization data from previous years,” Mercado said.

He emphasized that the agency’s projections take into account both the prevalence of illnesses like chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the ramp-up of newly introduced benefits, which are expected to see gradual uptake as they are implemented nationwide.

The expanded transplant package includes coverage for post-surgery medications, doctors’ fees, and even assistance for donors. Ward patients in government hospitals are expected to pay nothing out of pocket, while those in private rooms may face additional costs based on prior agreements with their doctors.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, who joined the briefing, warned that CKD cases are rising in the country, even among children. He said poor diet and sedentary lifestyles—particularly high sugar intake—have contributed to the trend.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier directed the Department of Health to boost its primary care and prevention programs to reduce diabetes and hypertension, which are leading causes of CKD.