MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has assured that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will pay its debts to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
In an address to the public on Monday evening, President Duterte said he will “look for the money” to settle the debt after PhilHealth stopped accepting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tests chargeable to the state insurer.
“Ditong Red Cross, h’wag kang mag-alala, mabayaran ito. We’re just looking for a way to present the solution to COA, pati sa Budget. It will take time, but we’ll pay. We’ll look for the money,” Duterte said.
“Hindi naman marami, but ang priorities natin dito is really medical – medical treatment, medical attention. Babayaran ito in a short while,” he added.
Last week, the PRC stopped accepting specimens from returning Filipinos, mega swabbing facilities and local government units, among others, due to mounting unpaid debt.
PRC was responsible for about one million COVID-19 tests, or nearly a fourth of the country’s total 3.8 million tests.
Meanwhile, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said PhilHealth is expected to settle half of its debts with PRC the soonest possible time.
“I think at least half of that will be paid as soon as possible,” Roque said in a virtual press conference on Tuesday. “There are alternative testing centers. It’s also a matter of accounting, mukhang tumatawad din po tayo sa ating utang.”/PN
