Ejercito pushes P74.4-B supplemental budget for PhilHealth to fulfill ‘no billing’ promise of UHC
July 30, 2025
Senator JV Ejercito calls on Congress to immediately pass Senate Bill No. 1 which seeks to allocate additional P74.4 billion subsidy for PhilHealth, warning that the full implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, and the relief it promises to millions of Filipinos, hinges on the timely release of the funds.
“Sana ngayon ay totohanin na ang pagbibigay ng importansya sa UHC. Nandiyan na ang batas. Ang kulang na lang ay agresibong implementasyon at pondo,” Ejercito said.
Ejercito, author and principal sponsor of the UHC Law, says the supplemental budget for Philhealth coupled with additional allocation for hospitals are key to sustaining the implementation of zero balance billing in government hospitals.
He stresses that this will significantly ease the financial burden on indigent patients, senior citizens, and other vulnerable sectors.
“Panawagan ko sa aking mga kasamahan sa Kongreso at kay Pangulong Marcos, agad natin ipasa ang supplemental budget para sa PhilHealth,” said Ejercito.
“Pondohan natin ngayon para masigurong wala nang babayaran kahit isang sentimo ang mga pasyente sa mga DOH hospital para sa basic accommodation,” he added, warning that the promises of UHC risk being diluted without urgent government action.
While he welcomes the President’s recognition of the zero balance billing provision under UHC, Ejercito criticizes the slow implementation of reforms already mandated by law.
He notes that the expanded benefit packages and services recently touted by President Marcos such as free consultations, cancer screening, and zero balance billing have long been embedded in the UHC framework.
“Kung noon pa lang ay naging seryoso na sa pagpapatupad ng UHC, hindi na sana kailangang isa-isang ianunsyo ang mga benepisyong ito.”
“Dapat matagal na itong nararamdaman ng bawat Pilipino—hindi problema ang gamot, hindi hadlang ang bayarin, at lalong hindi tila pribilehiyo ang pagpapatingin sa doktor,” he said.
