Senator Christopher “Bong” Go stressed that while the availability of free medicines for Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) members through the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program is a welcome development, it must be paired with comprehensive reforms that guarantee patients are supported from consultation to admission and, ultimately, until their discharge.
Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, welcomed PhilHealth’s announcement that members and their dependents may now access free medicines worth up to PhP20,000 annually. But he cautioned that health reforms cannot stop there, insisting that the implementation of zero balance billing and strengthened assistance throughout the patient journey must remain national priorities.
“Maganda po at malaking tulong na mayroon nang libreng gamot na hanggang PhP20,000 para sa ating mga kababayan. Pero lagi kong binabalik-balikan na hindi dapat dito lang nagtatapos ang ating laban para sa kalusugan,” Go said.
“Kailangan masiguro natin na mula konsultasyon, hanggang admission, hanggang paglabas ng pasyente, hindi sila nababaon sa utang at may masasandalan silang tulong mula sa gobyerno.”
The senator emphasized that providing free medicines addresses only part of the problem. He pointed out that many Filipinos struggle not only to purchase maintenance drugs for chronic illnesses but also to shoulder hospitalization costs when emergencies strike.
“Kaya nga paulit-ulit kong sinasabi, napakahalaga ng full implementation ng zero balance billing. Para masiguro na wala nang pasyente ang maglalakad papuntang DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), o PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office), o magmamakaawa para lang mabayaran ang kanilang hospital bill,” Go explained.
The GAMOT program, PhilHealth’s enhanced outpatient drug benefit package, covers 75 types of medicines for various conditions, including asthma, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol, infections, and nervous system disorders. Members need to register with a PhilHealth YAKAP clinic, secure a prescription from a doctor, and claim their medicines at accredited facilities.
According to PhilHealth, the program is part of its shift toward primary care and preventive health, aligning with the broader YAKAP package that includes laboratory tests and cancer screenings.
Go acknowledged this effort but reminded health officials that reforms must be felt directly by ordinary Filipinos. “Ang mga pasyente natin, hindi lang gamot ang problema. Marami ang nangangailangan ng laboratory tests, operasyon, o matagal na gamutan. Dito pumapasok ang tungkulin ng gobyerno na tulungan sila hanggang sa gumaling,” he said.
The senator highlighted that despite progress, gaps remain. In previous hearings, he pointed out low enrollment and awareness levels in PhilHealth’s Konsulta Program, which has since been rebranded and expanded as YAKAP. He had urged PhilHealth to boost its information campaign and ensure that more Filipinos can benefit from outpatient and preventive care services.
“Kung hindi alam ng tao na may benepisyo sila, paano nila ito magagamit?” Go asked. “Kaya hinihikayat ko ang PhilHealth na palakasin ang kanilang information drive, para sa lahat ng sulok ng bansa, lalo na sa mga probinsya.”
He added that simplifying access is crucial, suggesting practical measures such as durable and accessible PhilHealth identification cards. “Minsan, kahit nakasama na ang pangalan nila sa system, nahihirapan pa rin ang mga kababayan natin, lalo na sa bundok at malalayong lugar, kasi wala silang proof na miyembro sila ng PhilHealth. Dapat ayusin natin ito.”
Go filed a measure at the start of the 20th Congress seeking to mandate the issuance of PhilHealth cards to all Filipinos. The proposed legislation, titled the PhilHealth Card Act of 2025, aims to reinforce public awareness and recognition of individual coverage under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP), as mandated by Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Law.
Go ended by reiterating that the ultimate measure of success is when patients no longer fear hospital bills or medicine costs. “Kaya ang panawagan ko, tuluy-tuloy ang reporma. Simula sa konsultasyon, admission, at hanggang sa paglabas ng pasyente, dapat buo ang suporta ng gobyerno,” he said.