AN estimated P160 billion in receivables from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) is being eyed to fund PhilHealth’s benefit expansion, particularly for the development of primary care services.
Under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) is entitled to 8 percent of the 50 percent share of the revenues of the two revenue-generating agencies. PhilHealth President and CEO Edwin M. Mercado said the accumulated receivables from 2019 to 2025 can serve as a substantial source for expanding benefit coverage.
‘May report na binibigay; ‘di lang top of mind ko ‘yung total figure, [but] substantial in a way na ‘yun ‘yung dapat pagkunan for benefit expansion lalo na ng primary care,’ Mercado said.
The PhilHealth official added they already appealed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and has also approached Pagcor officials for the release of the funds.
Mercado also added that PhilHealth is also awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision on whether the allocation will be considered a hard earmark.
He explained that the ‘benefit expansion thrust’ includes the ‘Yaman ng Kalusugan’ program, or ‘Yakap,’ an improved version of the PhilHealth’s ‘Konsulta’ package that promotes ‘preventive and primary healthcare.’ The state health insurer has allocated P15.3 billion for the implementation of the program.
According to Mercado, who is also a general surgeon, Yakap seeks to shift the country’s health system from ‘reactive to proactive,’ providing members with access to cancer screening, medical consultations, and maintenance medications through accredited clinics.
‘Primary care is our nearest effort for universality. When we say universality, all Filipinos are covered,’ he said.
PhilHealth Vice President Walter R. Bacareza noted that under the UHC Law, all Filipinos are considered members, making them automatically eligible for Yakap. According to Yakap Point Person Arrel Peter P. Pascual, more than 36 million Filipinos have already registered and selected their accredited clinics nationwide.
PhilHealth pays P1,700 per member to accredited clinics for Yakap services; those opting for private clinics will only need to pay a P900 annual co-payment.
Pascual added that 4Ps beneficiaries, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities may register for Yakap through the eGov app or at any clinic or hospital accredited by the PhilHealth.