Labor group slams zero Philhealth subsidy and asks for resignation of DoH Secretary

 

The labor group Partido Manggagawa (PM) slammed the Congressional bicameral conference committee for not allocating any subsidy for Philhealth in the 2025 national budget. “It is the confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte and all other officials that must be taken out, not support for health insurance of workers and the people. Zero subsidy for Philhealth, NO! Zero budget for confidential funds, YES!,” stated Rene Magtubo, PM national chair and Marikina city councilor.

 

However, the group added this is also partly the fault of Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. PM called for the resignation of Herbosa for his failure to make good on commitments to improve Philhealth benefits for its members, many of whom are workers. “Sectary Herbosa should step down since he cannot do his job and make good on his promises. He committed to increasing by 50% across-the-board hike in Philhealth benefits which has not materialized. Philhealth has excess funds since it is scrimping on benefits. Herbosa, Alis dyan!,” stated Magtubo.

 

Philhealth announced a package of additional benefits for members last week. However, PM asserted that this falls short of the promised improved benefits that the DoH and Philhealth committed to during budget deliberations in Congress.

 

PM’s demand for Herbosa’s resignation is part of the group’s advocacy for quality public services. PM earlier joined the Nagkaisa labor coalition in filing as intervenor in the Supreme Court case to oppose the transfer of P90 billion of Philhealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury. The group has also been demanding public laundromats and whole day childcare centers to ease the burdens of employed and unemployed women.

 

PM’s call for Herbosa’s resignation follows the earlier demand of Agri partylist Representative Wilbert Lee. Magtubo averred that “A new DoH Secretary who is sincere in serving the people and delivers on promises would be a good Christmas gift to workers who deserve good governance and quality health services.”

 

Herbosa has also been criticized by other solons for lack of vaccines or expired ones in the DoH inventory. Last week the Commission on Audit flagged the DoH for P11 billion worth of vaccines, medicines and medical supplies which cannot be used anymore since they are past expiration dates.

 

“The wanton waste of people’s money is criminal. Resigning is the honorable thing to do. In other cultures, public officials even commit hara-kiri. But we don’t demand that. We only ask for better Health Secretaries who can do their jobs,” Magtubo explained.

Press Release

December 13, 2024