Recognizing the need to bring government services closer to Filipinos, especially in remote areas where internet connectivity remains a challenge, health reforms crusader Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday, September 23, urged the Philippine Health Corporation (PhilHealth) to prioritize the issuance of a PhilHealth ID to ensure healthcare access to Filipinos.
The government recently launched the eGovPH App that allows users to access various government services, including PhilHealth’s. Despite this, Go, who also sits as the Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, said that a significant chunk of the population continues to have difficulty connecting to the internet, much less own their own smart phones where they can install such app.
“Hindi lahat ng Pilipino marunong mag-Internet… lalo na sa bukid na wala pong Internet access,” Go said during the Senate Committee on Health hearing.
Having a PhilHealth ID, according to Senator Go would lessen the fear of Filipinos of going to hospitals for medical check-ups.
“Isa ito sa aking ipinaglalaban… Importante may peace of mind na kapag miyembro sila ng PhilHealth hindi sila takot magpa-ospital,” Go explained.
Senator Go cited the case of a pregnant woman in Cavite and another pregnant woman in Cebu who died because they were afraid to be admitted in the hospital.
“Namatay po kasi takot silang magpa-ospital. Marahil hindi po nila alam na miyembro sila ng PhilHealth na puwede sila sana matulungan sa pagpapa-ospital,” Go pointed out.
To recall, Go filed the proposed Philippine Health Card Act of 2025, which if enacted, aims to institutionalize the issuance of PhilHealth cards to all Filipinos.
Go lamented that many Filipinos remain unaware of their entitlement to PhilHealth benefits.
It will thus be a big help to have a PhilHealth ID to promote greater awareness of their benefits under the Universal Health Care Law.
“Sa ilalim ng Universal Health Care Law, lahat ng Pilipino ay miyembro ng PhilHealth, pero hindi lahat ay may PhilHealth ID. Marami ang nahihirapang mag-avail ng kanilang benepisyo dahil walang hawak na pisikal na ID. Gusto nating tiyakin na lahat ay may malinaw na access sa serbisyong pangkalusugan,” Go said.
Go stressed, “Importante rito ay ID may maipakita sila.”
The features of the PhilHealth ID include PhilHealth Identification Number (PIN) provision and a QR Code leading to online list of benefits for accessibility.
“Karapatan po ng bawat Pilipino to avail medical services po sa PhilHealth dahil lahat ng Pilipino ay miyembro ng PhilHealth,” Go concluded.
