Legarda pushes for full PDIC, PhilHealth funding restoration in 2027 budget

MANILA — Senator Loren Legarda has intensified her campaign to secure full restoration of funds designated for the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation during Congress's deliberations on next year's proposed P7.2-trillion budget.

Legarda emphasized that the national budget must prioritize the government's obligation to safeguard citizens' deposits and healthcare coverage through adequate funding for both institutions. Her renewed advocacy comes as budget committees examine spending allocations across multiple government agencies.

The PDIC, which guarantees depositors' funds in banks, and PhilHealth, the country's universal health insurance program, have historically faced funding gaps that impact their operational capacity. Legarda's push seeks to ensure that legally mandated appropriations reach these agencies without diversion to other government priorities.

The 2027 budget proposal is currently undergoing review in Congress, with various lawmakers presenting competing spending priorities. Legarda's intervention represents a sustained effort to place deposit protection and healthcare financing at the center of budget negotiations.

The senator's position reflects broader concerns about the adequacy of social protection mechanisms in the Philippines as the government balances multiple budgetary demands.