PhilHealth will receive a P53.2 billion subsidy under the proposed 2026 national budget, according to the Department of Finance. According to Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, the administration is further strengthening health services through PhilHealth and Department of Health (DOH).
According to DOF Undersecretary Maria Luwalhati Dorotan-Tiuseco, the fund is just additional support to the large PhilHealth fund which is expected to reach P348 billion by the end of 2025. It aims to expand benefits and medical services for members.
Recto also announced that there will be no increase in the contribution rate of members. Instead, PhilHealth will strive to improve collection to further expand services to Filipinos.
On the part of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Malacañang allowed it to submit a higher budget proposal, but it must be properly explained to Congress. From the previous P733 million, the approved proposal of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for 2026 has increased to P903 million.
According to Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, President Marcos is not blocking Vice President Sara Duterte's suggestions, as long as they will help the people. She added that the OVP needs to properly defend their proposal like a student defending a thesis.
Meanwhile, La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V is hopeful that President Marcos will focus his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on programs in tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, education, and health. According to him, tourism is a great help in the development of their province, which is known as a top beach and surf destination.
Ortega called for the administration to lay out a new strategy to maintain economic growth in areas that rely on tourism. He said it is important to hear the plan for sectors that have a direct impact on local communities.
