Philippine President Marcos has signed the country's PHP6.793tn ($121.3bn) national budget for 2026, restoring government subsidy to the state insurer, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). The signing was held on 5 January at Malacañang Palace.
Of the total, PHP129.8bn was allocated to strengthen the state insurer, including PHP60?bn that had been wrongfully remitted to the national treasury following a Supreme Court ruling.
In 2025, the state insurer received no government subsidy after lawmakers scrapped the proposed PHP74bn allocation due to its sizeable reserves. “These funds shall support preventive healthcare and the improvement of PhilHealth benefit packages, lowering the out-of-pocket expenses of Filipino families,” the President said.