BONG GO LAUDS PHILHEALTH BOARD APPROVAL OF PREVENTIVE ORAL HEALTH SERVICES, HIGHLIGHTS IMPACT OF HEALTH REFORMS CRUSADE

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, a well-known advocate for accessible health care, praised the recent approval of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)’s preventive oral health benefit package as a vital step in advancing universal health care in the Philippines which he has consistently been appealing for the past months.

The development, which expands primary care benefits under PhilHealth’s Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) program, reflects the outcomes of Go’s persistent health reforms crusade.

“This is a significant breakthrough,” said Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography. “Finally, preventive oral health services will now be more accessible to Filipinos, lalo na sa mga nasa laylayan ng lipunan. This shows na kapag pinagtuunan ng pansin ang kalusugan, napakalaki ng maitutulong sa pangkalahatan.”

The package, which will be implemented in 2025, includes annual routine oral care services such as mouth examinations, teeth cleaning, fluoride varnish application, pit and fissure sealants, and emergency tooth extractions. It aims to support the government’s “Ngiting 70-20” vision—ensuring more Filipinos reach the age of 70 with at least 20 permanent teeth.

During recent Senate hearings, Go emphasized the need for PhilHealth to broaden its benefit packages, citing the underutilization of its PHP 500 billion reserve fund and the planned transfer of PHP 89.9 billion excess funds which Go has opposed and was halted by the Supreme Court’s Temporary Restraining order recently.

“Pakiusap ko sa PhilHealth, expand your program benefits. Bakit po may PHP 500 billion na pondo ang PhilHealth na hindi nagagamit, na pwede namang gamitin, na mas palawakin at palakasin pa ang benefit packages,” Go said.

“Dental services, bakit walang libre ngayon? Nakikita n’yo sa probinsya, sinulid ‘yung ginagamit minsan para pang tanggal ng ngipin. Tulad ng teeth cleaning, pustiso, at marami pang ibang maaring makatulong sa mga pasyente. Ba’t hindi n’yo palawakin ‘yung benefit packages?,” he cited further.

Go also addressed PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., urging him to fulfill commitments to improve services. “Sana po itong mga pinangako ninyo, sana po from Boy Promise, sana po maging Boy Tupad,” he quipped.

Go highlighted the lack of accessible dental services as a glaring gap in the country’s healthcare system, particularly in rural areas.

“Minsan, hindi napapansin ang kahalagahan ng dental health. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa ngiti; may epekto ito sa kabuuang kalusugan ng isang tao,” he explained.

The preventive oral health package allows a maximum payment of PHP 1,000 per patient annually, ensuring that essential dental services are more affordable. Public dentists will provide these services without co-payments, while private dentists may charge minimal co-payments per visit.

Go reiterated his advocacy for a more inclusive and sustainable healthcare system. “Universal health care must be felt by all Filipinos. Hindi pwedeng papel lang, dapat may aksyon at resulta. Ang importante, maibalik natin ang tiwala ng tao sa sistema,” he emphasized.

As Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go continues to champion measures that enhance healthcare access, including the establishment of Super Health Centers across the country. He remains vocal in ensuring that government programs cater to the real needs of the Filipino people.

The preventive oral health package represents another milestone in Go’s ongoing mission to address systemic gaps in the nation’s healthcare system.

“Hindi po ito ang huli. Sisiguraduhin natin na ang bawat Pilipino, lalo na ang mga walang kakayahan, ay mabibigyan ng maayos na serbisyong medikal,” he vowed.

After numerous appeals from Go, PhilHealth has also officially committed to ensuring the implementation of their other promises such as increasing case rates; expanding benefits packages, especially for the top 10 mortality diseases; providing free medicines and assistive devices, such as eyeglasses and wheelchairs; inclusion of dental, visual, emergency, and preventive care; as well as updating policies to meet the needs of Filipinos.

Go has pressed PhilHealth to accelerate its other reforms following the long-overdue scrapping of the Single Period of Confinement (SPC) policy last month. While its removal was a significant step triggered by Go’s consistent appeals for reform, he has also brought to light the 24-hour confinement rule, which required patients to be hospitalized for at least a day to qualify for insurance coverage. PhilHealth officials have also committed to revisiting and removing this rule.

“Ang pondo ng PhilHealth ay para sa health! Pera po ito ng taumbayan, bawat piso ay pinagpaguran. Dapat po itong gamitin sa paraan na talagang makikinabang ang mga mamamayan,” Go said, reaffirming his commitment to policies that lessen the financial burden on ordinary citizens.

Earlier, Go expressed strong commendation for the Supreme Court’s issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking the transfer of PhilHealth’s excess funds to the National Treasury.

While appreciative of the TRO, Go stressed that this is merely a step in his ongoing efforts to ensure that PhilHealth fully delivers on its commitments to Filipinos.

Pero hindi dito nagtatapos ang ating krusada para sa kalusugan at kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan. Hindi ko titigilan ang PhilHealth hanggang tuparin nila ang lahat ng kanilang pangako,” he said.