Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, expressed high expectations for the newly appointed president and CEO of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Dr. Edwin Mercado.
Speaking in a statement, the senator urged PhilHealth to address its pending promises and reforms, emphasizing that the agency’s primary focus must be on delivering quality healthcare services and benefits to Filipinos.
“As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, I am looking forward to working closely with Dr. Edwin Mercado. I wish him well and hope that his medical background will lead to better management at PhilHealth,” Senator Go said.
The senator stressed that regardless of leadership changes, PhilHealth must be held accountable for converting collected funds into tangible healthcare benefits.
“Regardless naman kung sino ang namumuno ng PhilHealth, I am more interested in how PhilHealth will fulfill its pending promises, commitments, and reforms. Ang importante sa atin ay ang serbisyo at benepisyo na maibibigay nila sa mga Pilipino,” he stated.
("Regardless of who leads PhilHealth, I am more interested in how it will fulfill its pending promises, commitments, and reforms. What matters to us is the service and benefits it provides to Filipinos.")
Senator Go highlighted challenges facing Mercado, including a zero budget subsidy for the current year and the effective use of the agency’s reserve funds. “Malaking hamon ang sasaluhin ni Dr. Mercado bilang bagong lider ng PhilHealth. Unang-una na riyan ang zero budget subsidy at ang paggamit nang wasto ng sobra-sobra nitong reserve funds,” he noted.
("Dr. Mercado, as the new leader of PhilHealth, will face a significant challenge. First and foremost is the agency's zero budget subsidy for this year and the proper utilization of its excessive reserve funds.")
He criticized the practice of accumulating funds instead of investing them in healthcare services. “Ang PhilHealth po ay hindi negosyo na dapat mag-ipon ng pondo. Ito ay medical insurance para sa lahat upang may masasandalan tayo ‘pag nagkasakit. Kaya dapat nilang gamitin ang kanilang pondo para mapakinabangan ng taumbayan,” Senator Go added.
("PhilHealth is not a business that should be stockpiling funds. It is medical insurance for everyone so that we have something to rely on when we get sick. Therefore, they should use their funds for the benefit of the people.")
The senator also recalled PhilHealth’s commitments during Senate hearings to increase benefit packages for major diseases, reconsider planned contribution hikes for direct members, and expand coverage for essential medical expenses. “Kinalampag natin at siningil ang PhilHealth para sa mga ipinangako nito… at marami pang iba,” he said.
("We hold PhilHealth accountable for its promises... and many more.")
Senator Go acknowledged some reforms implemented under outgoing PhilHealth president and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., including the removal of certain anti-poor policies. However, he stressed that further action is needed.
“As the new leadership takes the helm of PhilHealth, we remain hopeful that these perennial issues will be addressed, and we can move closer to the full implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law,” he stated.