Manila: The government has proposed a PHP74.45-billion allocation for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in 2027, including PHP19 billion earmarked to enhance benefit packages and support other crucial health interventions.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) indicated that the proposed funding is aimed at strengthening health benefits for Filipinos. This includes a focus on mental health and severe malnutrition, along with providing assistance to local government unit (LGU) hospitals. The allocation will also cover the national government's premium subsidies for qualified PhilHealth beneficiaries, with approximately 11.09 million beneficiaries targeted in 2027, an increase from around 10.65 million this year.
The proposal is part of the government's efforts to reduce the financial burden on Filipino families for medical care. In September, the DBM approved PHP10.377 billion for the implementation of Zero Balance Billing (ZBB). This includes PHP9.377 billion designated for Department of Health (DOH) hospitals nationwide and PHP1 billion for six pilot LGU hospitals located in Benguet, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Aklan, and Sarangani. Additionally, the DBM released an extra PHP800 million to the Philippine General Hospital, specifically for ZBB.
DBM Acting Secretary Kim Robert de Leon emphasized that government health spending should directly assist patients. 'Every peso we release for health must ultimately reach the patient,' De Leon stated. Following the approval of the ZBB funding, he added that no Filipino should have to choose between seeking medical care and protecting their family from unaffordable hospital bills. 'This P10.377-billion release is about making sure that when our people get sick, government is there to help carry the burden,' he said.
The proposed PhilHealth allocation is part of the government's broader PHP353.8-billion health sector investment for 2027. This proposed health budget also includes PHP107.29 billion for the operations of 72 DOH regional hospitals and other health facilities, PHP25.39 billion for the National Health Workforce Support System, and PHP3.75 billion for the Cancer Assistance Fund.
PhilHealth received a total of PHP129.8 billion this year, following an initial PHP53.13-billion subsidy supplemented by a PHP60-billion funding recovery boost and an additional PHP16.52 billion from the bicameral conference committee.
