Malacañang on Wednesday reiterated that the bulk of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) excess funds, amounting to PhP60 billion, was allocated to essential health programs and social services directly benefiting the public.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro dismissed allegations from some sectors of fund misuse.

She emphasized that a significant portion of the amount was directed to various government programs, including the Health Emergency Allowance (HEA).

“Ayon sa report ng DOH noong Martes, umabot sa halos 6 million na healthcare workers ang nakinabang sa nasabing programa ng PhilHealth (According to the Department of Health (DOH) report released Tuesday, nearly six million healthcare workers have benefited from the PhilHealth program),” Castro said.

The HEA was provided to medical frontliners who served during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the funds were reportedly used for medical assistance to indigent patients, the purchase of medical equipment for DOH hospitals, local government hospitals, and primary care facilities.

Castro highlighted that a large portion of the funds went to three DOH health facilities and the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).

“Dahil sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., walang pera ng taumbayan ang masasayang — lahat ay napupunta sa makabuluhang programa na naglalayong maiangat ang kalidad ng pamumuhay, lalo na ang kalusugan ng bawat mamamayan (Under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., no public funds are wasted. All resources go to meaningful programs that aim to improve the quality of life, especially the health of every Filipino),” she added.

Recently, the Supreme Court ordered the return of PhP60 billion in PhilHealth funds remitted to the national treasury in 2024. This amount is part of an estimated PhP89.9 billion in “excess funds” scheduled for transfer to the treasury.

On 20 September, President Marcos instructed the return of the PhP60 billion to PhilHealth in recognition of the agency’s improved performance and to provide additional benefits to its members.