By PCO | September 20, 2025

THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) will be allocated PhP60 billion following the cancellation of PhP255 billion worth of locally funded flood control projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) proposed budget in 2026.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced the PhP60 billion allocation to PhilHealth on Saturday during his visit to the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital (DJFMH) in Manila, where the President checked on the implementation of the zero-billing policy program.

President Marcos said he ordered the reallocation of PhP60 billion to further improve PhilHealth members’ benefits.

“I’m happy to be able to announce dahil sa ating mga ginagawa… na galing sa iba’t ibang departamento but mainly from Department of Public Works and Highways, ‘yung 60 billion na ‘yan, ibabalik na natin sa PhilHealth,” the President announced at the Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital.

The Chief Executive reiterated that the Department of Finance (DOF) transferred the PhP60 billion Philhealth funds to the national treasury since these were not being put to use for members’ benefits.

Pointing out that PhilHealth has, in fact, increased its benefit packages, the President emphasized that the fund transfer to the national treasury did not affect the agency’s services.

“Kahit anong paliwanag na ibigay namin, kahit na anong ipakita natin na dumadami ang serbisyo na kino-cover ng PhilHealth, may pangamba pa rin ‘yung tao na baka mabawasan ‘yung mga services,” the President said.

“Dinagdagan na natin, pero siyempre hindi mo maiwasan… You cannot blame them na may pangamba sila na baka sa pagkuha ng 60 billion na dinala nga sa national government ay baka mabawasan ang services, kahit na napatunayan na namin na hindi mababawasan ang services,” President Marcos added.

In line with the President’s directive to stamp out corruption, the DPWH revised its proposed budget under the 2026 National Expenditure Program to PhP624.784 billion from the original PhP881.312 billion, by removing allocations for all locally funded flood control projects next year worth PhP255 billion.

President Marcos earlier said the cancelled DPWH budget for flood control projects next year would be allocated to other government projects and projects such as education, agriculture, health, housing, infrastructure, ICT, labor, social services and energy. | PND