DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman has approved the release of over P25 billion worth of funds that will cover the one-year health insurance of poor Filipinos.

The DBM said the P25,157,547,000 Special Allotment Release Order (Saro) that was approved by Pangandaman on May 23 will benefit a total of 8,385,849 qualified members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (Philhealth).

The beneficiaries were identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Pangandaman said the release of the budget from the authorized allotment under the 2023 General Appropriations Act is in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s order to ensure that Filipinos will be provided with affordable health care.

In April, the DBM also released the funds amounting to over P42 billion to cover the health insurance premiums of 8.5 million senior citizens in the country. (SunStar Philippines)