CAGAYANDE ORO CITY - The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) welcomed Finance Secretary Ralph Recto's proposal to improve PhilHealth benefits for paying members, but warned that better benefits should never come at the expense of universal healthcare or the diversion of PhilHealth funds.
FFW President Atty. Jose Sonny G. Matula on Saturday said Recto, as a member of the PhilHealth Board, could have pushed for enhanced benefits earlier.
He noted that the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act already allows additional benefits for workers who regularly pay their PhilHealth contributions.
"Workers who faithfully contribute to PhilHealth deserve better and more responsive benefits. That is not a privilege—it is a right under the law," Matula said.
FFW stressed that expanding benefits for contributors should not weaken healthcare access for poor families, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, the unemployed, and other indirect members covered by the UHC Act.
The labor group also reiterated its opposition to the transfer of ₱89.9 billion in PhilHealth reserve funds to the National Treasury, saying the money should remain dedicated to hospitalization, medicines, preventive care, and other health services.
"PhilHealth funds belong to PhilHealth members," Matula said. "They should be used for healthcare—not for other government purposes."
FFW also called for stronger worker representation on the PhilHealth Board, saying contributors should have a greater voice in decisions involving premiums, benefit packages, reserve funds, investments, and institutional reforms.
The labor group likewise urged Congress to conduct a comprehensive review of PhilHealth's governance and financial management to strengthen accountability and restore public trust.
It also called for greater use of evidence-based assessments by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) in reviewing and improving PhilHealth benefit packages.
Matula emphasized that health is a constitutional right and said every peso contributed by workers should be used to improve healthcare services and benefit all Filipinos. (Ben Balce)
