Healthcare remains a critical need for millions and the promise of accessible and affordable medical services under the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act seems to be a beacon of hope. Yet, for many Filipinos, this promise often seems out of reach — not because of lack of programs, but due to failure in awareness and accessibility.
One such program is the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation Konsultasyong Sulit Tama (PhilHealth Konsulta) — introduced as a key component of the UHC Act. It is a government initiative aimed at providing members with comprehensive primary healthcare services. These include regular check-ups, diagnostics, medical prescriptions, and specialist referrals — all for free or at a minimal cost. The program is meant to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, the educated and the uneducated, by offering everyone equal access to quality medical care. This program is a legal entitlement, a right granted to PhilHealth members and dependents, ensuring they receive essential healthcare services, irrespective of income or geographic location.
According to the PhilHealth website, it has on record 108,505,167 beneficiaries — 62,236,523 members and 46,268,644 dependents as of December 2023. However, only 20,744,674 are registered with PhilHealth Konsulta — 14,545,416 members and 6,199,258 dependents. This underscores how the program is underutilized. The number of people who actively engage with this service is far below what it should be.
A fundamental reason lies in awareness, or rather, the lack of it. Despite being a law-mandated benefit, many PhilHealth members remain oblivious to its existence, much less its eligibility requirements or the extent of its coverage. Whether due to ineffective communication strategies, limited outreach, or a general disconnect between government programs and the public, PhilHealth Konsulta has yet to reach its full potential.
The poor dissemination of information is not just a minor inconvenience — it is a failure in public service. Those who need the program the most, particularly in rural areas or among marginalized communities, remain unaware of their entitlements. This means that millions of pesos in health funds, intended for the well-being of Filipinos, sit idle in PhilHealth coffers each year. The financial resources allocated for primary care services that could help prevent more serious health conditions are not being used to their full capacity. In fact, PhilHealth was in the limelight recently after Congress decided not to grant it any subsidy under the 2025 national budget owing this to its ₱600-billion reserve funds lying idle. While the law mandates that PhilHealth needs to have a reserve fund, the amount reaching as high as ₱600 billion may be too much considering that millions need healthcare assistance. This idle fund represents untapped potential for the prevention and treatment of countless diseases that could burden the nation’s healthcare system in the long run. More importantly, it’s a glaring indicator of inefficiency in public service. Every unutilized benefit is a missed opportunity for improved public health and a wasted investment in a system designed to support the nation’s health needs.
PhilHealth cannot afford to let this situation continue. While PhilHealth Konsulta’s existence is a powerful tool, its potential will remain unrealized until more is done to ensure its visibility and accessibility.
The consequences are not only economic but social. The underutilization of the program perpetuates inequality in healthcare access, especially for the poor and underserved sectors. In the long run, this could lead to a vicious cycle where the lack of primary care services results in the escalation of medical conditions that would have otherwise been preventable or manageable.
PhilHealth Konsulta is a tool for health equity and justice. The funds allocated for this program belong to the people, and they must not go to waste. If the government and PhilHealth officials take the necessary steps to raise awareness and ensure participation, PhilHealth Konsulta can become the cornerstone of a healthier, more equitable Philippines. It’s time for all Filipinos to realize their right to health and for PhilHealth to fulfill its mandate — so that no one is left behind in this health revolution.
