The almost 10 billion pesos of unused Philhealth funds are making the eyes of politicians moist. They are attracted to it like ants to sugar. Allegedly, they want it used to fund other government priority infrastructure projects.
This came in the heels of the failure to give any government subsidy to Philhealth in the current national budget.
The moment that huge amount is transferred to the general fund, it will be fair game for politicians to play around with. When the money is used to fund infra projects politicians will get a big chunk of it through various ways. The projects will be awarded to their fair-haired boys or favored contractors. And SOPs (the contractor jargon for grease money) will be given, rather, shared. What’s the going rate now? Supposedly, none. But we were not born yesterday.
The masses badly need the benefits they are getting from Philhealth. In fact these should be increased if the people’s health is considered a priority. Funds will be needed for that.
After all, that money is the people’s money painstakingly contributed over the years by us, the ordinary people. Government should even add to it.
Well, don’t our politicians have itchy hands? They always want to dip their sticky fingers whenever there is cash.**