MANILA – Senator Loren Legarda urged the Senate to act decisively to close persistent funding gaps in the health system, calling for the passage of the PhilHealth Automatic Funding Act to secure stable and timely financing for the agency.

In a privilege speech during plenary deliberations on February 3, Legarda warned that the diversion and delay of funds have undermined the Universal Health Care Act, leaving millions of Filipinos exposed to catastrophic out-of-pocket medical costs.

“The fight for a just and equitable health system in the Philippines has never been easy. It is a race against time,” she said, emphasizing the moral imperative for the government to protect the sick and vulnerable.

Legarda cited that PhilHealth has been deprived of ₱113.44 billion in cumulative sin tax revenues for 2023–2026. An additional ₱106.95 billion in statutory shares from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) remain unpaid. She also highlighted the Department of Finance’s 2024 decision to return ₱60 billion in PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury as an example of actions that have weakened the system.

Describing the human toll, Legarda said: “May nanay sa public hospital na pinipiling umuwi na lang dahil kulang ang pambayad kahit may PhilHealth card siya. May lolo na pinapahaba ang pagitan ng check-up dahil iniipon pa ang pamasahe at pambayad sa laboratory. May batang hindi maipasok agad sa ospital dahil takot ang magulang sa posibleng bill, kahit may sinasabing coverage ang PhilHealth.”

She also criticized the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), which was designed to help those unable to pay hospital bills. In practice, Legarda said, it forces patients to navigate multiple offices and endorsements. “Hindi dapat nakikiusap ang mahirap para mabuhay. Hindi dapat namamalimos ang maysakit para magamot,” she stressed, calling for MAIFIP’s gradual phase-out with funds redirected to PhilHealth to strengthen coverage and case rates.

To address these gaps, Legarda pushed for the swift passage of Senate Bill No. 1662, which mandates the automatic release of all legally due funds to PhilHealth and requires quarterly transparency reports from the BIR, PAGCOR, and PCSO. She also called for stronger oversight through the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Public Expenditures to ensure funds are fully remitted and properly utilized.

Legarda warned: “Any form of abuse will not be tolerated. This Senate will ensure that all erring officials, those who authorize, defend, or tolerate misuse of health funds, will be held fully accountable under the law.”

She concluded by calling the struggle for universal health care a “moral emergency” and urged government agencies and lawmakers to act promptly to protect the health and dignity of Filipino families.