Representatives of two broad senior citizens groups in the Philippines, Salve Basiano, the sectoral representative for Seniors to the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), and Paz Basconcillo, Advocacy Officer and Board Member of the Confederation of Older Persons Association of the Philippines (COPAP), express dismay over the diversion of the PhP89.9B PhilHealth funds to the Unprogrammed Appropriations of the national budget.
At a press conference on July 31, the sector firmly opposed the transfer of PhilHealth to the National Treasury. They reasserted that PhilHealth funds are owned by members and should be used solely for their benefit.
“Alam natin na ang lahat ng kaperahang hawak ng gobyerno o nilalaspag ng sino man sa gobyerno ay pera ng mga taumbayan. Galing ‘yan either sa buwis o sa kontribusyon natin na direktang binibigay sa PhilHealth,” said Basiano.
[We all know that the money held by the government or used by anyone in the government is owned by the people. It comes either from taxes or from our premium contributions given directly to PhilHealth.]
Basconcillo added that the sector believes the money should stay in PhilHealth and be used for programs that are directly beneficial to its members, including benefit package expansion for senior citizens. She also cited PhilHealth’s failure to cover even half of the older persons population in the Philippines, who, according to RA 10645, are supposed to be automatic members of the state insurance program.
“Meron pa ring mga nakatatanda lalo na sa mga probinsya at sa mga liblib na pook na hindi awtomatik na kasama sa enrolment ng PhilHealth… Ayon sa datos ng Philippine Statistics Authority noong 2020, mayroon tayong 9.22 million na senior citizens sa buong Pilipinas at ito ay patuloy pa ring lumalaki. Pero sa record ng PhilHealth, umaabot lang ng dalawang milyon ang nakatanggap ng benepisyo galing sa PhilHealth,” Basconcillo emphasized.
[There are still older persons, especially in provinces and remote areas, who are not automatically enrolled in PhilHealth. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2020, there are 9.22 million senior citizens in the Philippines, and this number continues to grow. However, PhilHealth’s record shows only about two million have received benefits from this agency.]
The representatives of senior citizens demand the return of the PhP20 billion that was remitted to the Bureau of Treasury early this year, and prevent any further transfer of the PhilHealth funds.