The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will use a PHP250 billion surplus to fund its 2025 regional operations, including in Northern Mindanao.

PhilHealth 10 (Northern Mindanao) media relations officer Merly Ybañez said Wednesday that the surplus is from the central office’s 2024 budget.

“There’s no reason PhilHealth cannot implement its 2025 programs despite the national government allocating a zero budget to the agency this year,” she said.

Ybañez said Congress would reevaluate its stance on the 2026 national budget.

PhilHealth’s regional operations may be affected if the zero-budget allocation continues, she said.

PhilHealth also has a PHP281 billion fund from sin taxes, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

The funds will be distributed to each region, Ybañez said.

PhilHealth-10 medical specialist Dr. Francis Ramos said Northern Mindanao is among the country’s largest contributors to PhilHealth’s surplus.

Most of the surplus comes from paying members who have not used PhilHealth benefits. (PNA)