President Duterte has called for the postponement of the planned increase in contribution of members to Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), according to Senator Christopher Go.
The President’s former assistant bared Duterte’s stance on the PhilHealth issue during a meeting with several government officials in Davao City Monday night.
“Pina-defer na muna ni PRRD increase sa PhilHealth (The President sought a deferment in the increase of PhilHealth contributions),” Go said in a message to reporters.
He explained the President made the decision to help ease the burden of the people especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
Asked for the Palace statement on the matter, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said it was prudent to wait for the President’s address to the nation Monday.
The state-run PhilHealth is scheduled to increase to 3.5 percent the contribution rate of its members this year, from 3 percent in 2020. Under Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act, the health corporation is allowed to adjust the rate by 0.5 percent every year starting 2021 until it reaches 5 percent in 2025.
PhilHealth earlier announced that the adjustment of the contribution rate aims to ensure sufficient funding for the health care benefits of its members.
