Senator Christopher “Bong” Go welcomed the recent approval of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)’s preventive oral health benefit package as an important step in advancing universal healthcare in the country, a cause he has consistently supported in recent months.

The new development, which expands primary care benefits under PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) program, reflects the outcomes of Go’s ongoing push for health reforms.

“This is a significant breakthrough,” said Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography. “Finally, preventive oral health services will now be more accessible to Filipinos, lalo na sa mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan. This shows na kapag pinagtuunan ng pansin ang kalusugan, napakalaki ng maitutulong sa pangkalahatan.”

The package, set to be implemented in 2025, includes annual routine oral care services such as mouth examinations, teeth cleaning, fluoride varnish application, pit and fissure sealants, and emergency tooth extractions. It aims to support the government’s “Ngiting 70-20” vision—ensuring that more Filipinos reach the age of 70 with at least 20 permanent teeth.

During recent Senate hearings, Go emphasized the need for PhilHealth to expand its benefit packages, pointing to the underutilization of its PHP 500 billion reserve fund and the planned transfer of P89.9 billion in excess funds, which Go opposed. The Supreme Court recently halted this transfer with a Temporary Restraining Order.

“Pakiusap ko sa PhilHealth, expand your program benefits. Bakit po may PHP 500 billion na pondo ang PhilHealth na hindi nagagamit, na pwede namang gamitin, na mas palawakin at palakasin pa ang benefit packages,” Go said.

"Dental services, bakit walang libre ngayon? Nakikita n’yo sa probinsya, sinulid ‘yung ginagamit minsan para pang tanggal ng ngipin. Tulad ng teeth cleaning, pustiso, at marami pang ibang maaring makatulong sa mga pasyente. Ba’t hindi n’yo palawakin ‘yung benefit packages?” he added.

Go also addressed PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., urging him to fulfill commitments to improve services. “Sana po itong mga pinangako ninyo, sana po from Boy Promise, sana po maging Boy Tupad,” he quipped.

Go pointed out the lack of accessible dental services as a significant gap in the country’s healthcare system, particularly in rural areas.

“Minsan, hindi napapansin ang kahalagahan ng dental health. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa ngiti; may epekto ito sa kabuuang kalusugan ng isang tao,” he explained.

The preventive oral health package will allow a maximum payment of PHP 1,000 per patient annually, making essential dental services more affordable. Public dentists will provide these services without co-payments, while private dentists may charge minimal co-payments per visit.

Go reiterated his advocacy for a more inclusive and sustainable healthcare system. “Universal healthcare must be felt by all Filipinos. Hindi pwedeng papel lang, dapat may aksyon at resulta. Ang importante, maibalik natin ang tiwala ng tao sa sistema,” he emphasized.

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go continues to support measures that improve healthcare access, including the establishment of Super Health Centers across the country. He remains vocal in ensuring that government programs address the real needs of the Filipino people.

The preventive oral health package marks another step forward in Go’s ongoing efforts to address systemic gaps in the nation’s healthcare system.

After repeated appeals from Go, PhilHealth has also committed to ensuring the implementation of other promised reforms, such as increasing case rates, expanding benefits packages—especially for the top 10 mortality diseases—providing free medicines and assistive devices like eyeglasses and wheelchairs, including dental, visual, emergency, and preventive care, and updating policies to better serve Filipinos.

Go has pressed PhilHealth to speed up other reforms, including the long-overdue scrapping of the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) policy last month. While its removal was a significant step triggered by Go’s calls for reform, he has also highlighted the 24-hour confinement rule, which required patients to be hospitalized for at least one day to qualify for insurance coverage. PhilHealth officials have committed to revisiting and removing this rule.

Earlier, Go commended the Supreme Court’s issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the transfer of PhilHealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury.