PhilHealth has recently released a new contribution rate for its members. However, PhilHealth seems to have forgotten something—the 15B missing funds.
With the new rate for the contribution, many took to Twitter to remind the government that there is a huge amount of money still missing.
Actor Richard Juan sarcastically thanked the agency while asking hem where is the 15B fund.
Thanks for the reminder…na saan na po yung Php15,000,000,000??? https://t.co/FOOstddt0x
— 范鴻志 RICHARD JUAN 홍준 (@richardjuan) December 29, 2020
The new payment was revealed on December 29 by PhilHealth. According to the government agency, it is “implementing the scheduled contribution rate and adjustment in income ceiling for 2021 to ensure sufficient funding for the health care benefits of its 110 million members as mandated by Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law.” This means that by 2021, there will be an increase in the contributions from its members.
Moreover, PhilHealth admitted that it recognizes the struggle of Filipinos due to the pandemic. Despite such toll on the citizens, the agency emphasized that it is bound to implement the UHC Law that aims for supposedly “better healthcare services” as the country continues to fight COVID-19.
Still, the fact that the they have increased the payment for the members of PhilHealth really angered many netizens, including celebrities.
Teddy Locsin Jr. in an analogy, shared his thoughts regarding the increase. For him, the management and the waiters (PhilHealth officials) who pocketed the 15B fund had to find new ways to steal money.
Well, there's no such thing as a free lunch especially where the management and the waiters finish off most of the buffet and take home the leftovers. https://t.co/6vrkUOrWVJ
— Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) December 29, 2020
Many netizens were not so happy with the latest update. They wanted the government to return first the stolen funds before increasing the membership.
For Dr. Tom, he was disgusted on how PhilHealth still had the audacity to increase the payment when they have robbed Filipinos.
Soli nyo muna ang bilyon bilyong pisong ninakaw sa kaban ng PhilHealth. May gana pa kayong msg increase? https://t.co/3XMG356M8B
— Tom (@MATom_MD) December 29, 2020
And just like numerous concerned citizens, many were looking for the 15B funds which were allegedly stolen in PhilHealth.
Just like them, Foodpanda brand manager Roj Tirona also wanted the money returned first. He loathed the way the government is trying to milk Filipinos in these difficult times.
https://twitter.com/rojtirona/status/1343905788360724480
Famous photographer Carlos Quiapo won’t even pay the increased contribution unless the 15B fund which was stolen be returned.
no payment until we find the missing 15 Billion Pesos. and until we put those behind it in jail. #NasaanAng15BPhilHealth https://t.co/zb6uz6RcXO
— Carlos (@qarloscuiapo) December 29, 2020
With the 15B which PhilHealth mafia had pocketed, the issue was buried by other important matters. However, several top PhilHealth officials, including its former CEO Ricardo Morales, have been slapped with administrative charges.
Still, with the 15B PhilHealth fund nowhere to be found, netizens were mad about such an increase. Some netizens even called the agency “audacious” for increasing their contribution.
It's the
AUDACITY
for me. Pakapalan nalang talaga ng mukha 'no, PhilHealth? https://t.co/zSCfCsPt95
— ace. (@igracebiyaya) December 29, 2020