President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is eyeing to gradually reduce the medical fees directly paid by patients to a minimum, while expanding the coverage of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

In his speech during the turnover of 387 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to local government units (LGUs) on Wednesday, President Marcos said the government is working on the budget of the Department of Health (DOH) and PhilHealth to provide Filipinos with a better healthcare system.

“Yung PhilHealth, pinaparami natin ang insurance coverage. Pinapalaki, pinaparami natin ang serbisyong ibinibigay ng PhilHealth,” President Marcos said at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

“Binababaan natin ang bayad, kasi kahit papaano ‘yung pasyente pagka magpapatingin o magpapagaling ay mayroon pa ring kontribusyon. At dahan-dahan namin babawasan ‘yang kontribusyon ng pasyente,” the President continued.

President Marcos committed that, “Pag naayos natin ang ating ekonomiya nang mabuti at kaya na natin at kaya naman siguro natin, wala ng kontribusyon ang pasyente,” to which the audience applauded loudly.

President Marcos stated that his goal is to have PhilHealth members pay only a minimal amount for “administrative costs.”

“That is the aspiration. At the moment, iyong sistema natin is not sufficient para magawa natin ‘yun. Siyempre ‘yung pondo laging kulang,” President Marcos acknowledged.

“But minamaniobra natin, minamasahe natin ang budget nang mabuti para naman mapabilis ang pagpaganda ng health service para sa ating mga kababayan,” the President added. ǀ PND