Press Release
May 22, 2018

Opening Statement of Sen. JV Ejercito, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and demography

Good afternoon!

This Joint Oversight Committee on the National Health Insurance convenes today in the exercise of its oversight function under Republic Act 7875, as amended by RA 9241 and RA 10606.

The need for this joint congressional meeting is imperative with the Congress's move to pass the Universal Health Care Bill. Indeed, the role of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation cannot be overemphasized.

Sa atin pong layunin na makapag-balangkas ng isang batas na tutugon sa karapatang pangkalusugan ng ating mga kababayan, kailangan natin matiyak ang kahandaan ng bawat ahensiya ng gobyerno. Handa ba tayo sa malaking trabaho at responsibilidad na ipagkakatiwala sa atin? Isa lang po ito sa mga tanong na nais nating mabigyang-linaw ngayong araw.

It was reported by Philhealth during our regional consultations for the UHC that currently, 93 Million Filipinos or 91 per cent of the total population now have the opportunity to avail of Philhealth benefits. We acknowledge this accomplishment, as well as the expansion of coverage and membership.

However, with this wide coverage, how does the agency handle its financial statement to ensure its sustainability and prevent collapse while at the same time efficiently covering the health needs of every Filipino.

Nakaka-bahala po ang mga natanggap nating report nitong nakaraang araw na nakapagtala daw ang Philhealth ng Php8.9 Bilyon na pagkalugi. Ito po ay taliwas sa direksiyon na gusto nating tunguhin ng Philhealth sa responsibilidad nitong makapagbigay ng abot-kayang health services and goods sa bawat Pilipino at libreng serbisyo sa mga kababayan nating mahirap.

Ilang kaso ng dialysis at cancer patients ang sana'y makikinabang sa halagang ito. Ilang mga indigents, Barangay Health Workers, PWDs, at Senior Citizens sana ang magbebenepisyo sa bilyong halaga kung napangasiwaan lang sana nang maayos.

Kahapon po sa Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement na akin ding pinamumunuan, nagkaroon po ako ng konklusyon na may mafia sa housing sector kung kaya ganun na lamang ang lugi ng gobyerno dahil sa mga hindi mapakinabangan na mga pabahay na nagkakahalaga ng bilyong piso.

The situation in Philhealth is akin to the housing sector fiasco. Was there a mafia in Philhealth? I hope not but the multi-billion loss is more than a mismanagement issue and lack of leadership.

The Chair does not want to give conclusions how Philhealth arrived at this situation. It is precisely the purpose of this oversight meeting to find out, to assess, and to review the performance of Philhealth through its current management and leadership. This multi-billion loss could have gone a long way to benefit our constituents.

Mandato at Pananagutan. Ito po ang dalawang bagay na nais nating bigyang-diin. Simula pa lang ay nagbigay na tayo ng babala na dahil sa napaka-halagang papel ng Philhealth, kailangan nito ng permanenteng lider na may mandato at pananagutan at gagabay upang mas mapaunlad ang operasyon ng ahensiya.

At the end of the day, the poor Filipinos will depend on the health and other social services of the government. By the time that we pass the Universal Health Care Law, all Filipinos will look towards the government's direction in providing these services efficiently. We in the government have a mandate to make all of these work for the people. You, in Philhealth have no choice but to step-up and do your job better.

The Committee invited everyone who could shed light to Philhealth's operation and performance for the past years. I hope we invited the right people and we look forward to a productive discussion.

Thank you.

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