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The Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK) denounced the transfer of PhP 89.9 billion Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds to the Unprogrammed Appropriations, censuring the use of their call for long-overdue Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) in justifying the inappropriate diversion of state insurance funds.
In a press conference of various civil society groups held last July 31, the labor group argued that their health insurance is as much a priority as their HEA hence, they firmly oppose such diversion of funds. PSLINK representative Jillian Roque emphasized that the workers are insulted by the state’s neglect of their demands, worsened by the Department of Finance (DOF)’s move on seizing the state insurance funds to finance contingent projects, even if it includes HEA.
“Malinaw sa ordinaryong manggagawa na hindi katanggap tanggap ang paglipat ng pondo ng PhilHealth. Kaya nang lumabas ang balita na ililipat ang Php. 89.9 bilyon na pondo ng PhilHealth, ang pakiramdam ng karaniwang manggagawa, kakarampot na nga ang benepisyo, tinaasan pa ang singil ng premium, hindi pa napakinabangan, binawi pa ang pondo,” said Roque.
Roque equally rebuked DOF Secretary Ralph Recto’s audacity to use the worker’s demand for their unpaid health allowances in validating the agency’s move to redirect PhilHealth funds from its intended purpose of serving as state insurance.
“Ang masakit pa po, ikinakatuwiran pa ng mga promotor ng diversion ng pondo ng PhilHealth na kesyo gagamitin ang pondong ito bilang pambayad sa Health Emergency Allowances ng mga health workers natin… ginawa pa itong justification. Pero pakiramdam ng mga health workers natin na parang ginisa sila sa sariling mantika. Patong-patong na insulto at pasakit ang inabot ng mga manggagawa natin sa kalusugan,” said Roque.
In addition, the labor group representative argued that the owed health allowances and entitlements of health workers and their next of kins, especially following the surge of COVID-19 pandemic, should have been prioritized in national budgeting instead of placing it under Unprogrammed Appropriations. She said the government’s act of shelving HEA, is a reflection of their low regard for the urgency and importance of this matter.
“Sa makatuwid, hindi mahalaga ang HEA, nilagay lang ito sa Unprogrammed Appropriations, wala tuloy katiyakan sa pagbabayad, na mapopondohan, at nagpatong-patong ang mga balanse… Hindi ito dapat nasa unprogrammed appropriations in the first place,” said Roque.
Roque added that under no circumstances should PhilHealth funds be used to pay HEA of health workers, arguing that such payments should come from national government funds as mandated by the Public Health Emergency Benefits and Allowances for Health Care Workers Act or RA 11712. She criticized DOF’s approach which pits essential health insurance against the workers’ emergency allowances, both of which are crucial and should not be competing for the same funds.
“Kahit saang anggulo namin tignan, hindi dapat gamiting pambayad-utang sa HEA ng mga health workers ang pondo ng PhilHealth. Dapat ay pinondohan ito gamit ang programmed funds ng ating national government dahil batay naman ito sa umiiral na batas… Pinagbabangga pa tuloy ang health insurance natin laban sa Health emergency allowance ng mga manggagawa,” said Roque.
Moreover, the labor group calls for the whole Php. 89.9 billion PhilHealth funds to be used according to the mandates of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law. That is, for expanding members’ benefits and imposing immediate premium relief for direct contributors.
“Ang panawagan namin sa labor [sector], kung may sobrang pondo ang PhilHealth, dapat mapunta ito sa pagpapalawak ng mga benepisyo para sa mamamayan. Dahil hindi sapat ang mga benefit packages ngayon…Kung matatagalan pa po yung implementation ng pagpapalawak ng benepisyo, ang panawagan po ng labor ay sundin niyo ‘yung nakasaad sa umiiral na UHC Law, bawasan niyo ‘yung premium. Magpatupad ng agarang premium relief para sa mga manggagawa na direct contributors,” demanded Roque.