A labor organization has reiterated its opposition to the transfer of PhilHealth funds to the National Treasury even as it expressed support for proposals to expand benefits for paying members. The group argued that enhancing member benefits reinforces the need to preserve the state health insurer's financial resources rather than redirect them elsewhere.
The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) said it agrees with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto's call to improve benefits for PhilHealth contributors, noting that workers who regularly pay their premiums should receive greater value from the health insurance program.
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FFW President Jose Sonny Matula said the proposal reflects provisions that are already recognized under existing law, which grants direct contributors access to additional program benefits.
“The proposal to provide enhanced PhilHealth benefits for paying members is fully consistent with the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. However, the labor group stressed that improving benefits for contributors should never undermine the country’s commitment to universal health care or be used to justify the diversion of PhilHealth funds,” the FFW said on Sunday.
Labor Group Cites Universal Health Care Law
While welcoming the proposal for enhanced benefits, Matula pointed out that such reforms could have been advanced earlier when Recto served as Finance Secretary and was an ex officio member of the PhilHealth Board.
He cited Section 9 of Republic Act (RA) 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, which expressly authorizes PhilHealth to grant additional program benefits to direct contributors.
Matula maintained that contributors should receive improved services in recognition of their continued premium payments.
“Workers who faithfully contribute to PhilHealth deserve better and more responsive benefits. That is not a privilege — it is a recognition expressly guaranteed by law,” Matula said.
The labor group maintained that expanding benefits for contributors should go hand in hand with preserving PhilHealth's financial capacity to fulfill its mandate under the Universal Health Care Act. For millions of Filipino workers and their families who depend on PhilHealth for medical assistance, policies that strengthen both member benefits and the long-term sustainability of the national health insurance program could improve access to healthcare while protecting public funds intended for health services.
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