MANILA, Dec. 6 -- The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has committed to the timely and transparent release of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) funds to support the immediate expansion of its benefits and the improvement of services.

This comes as PhilHealth is set to receive PHP113 billion in 2026, following the restoration of PHP60 billion in previously withheld funds, in addition to the PHP53.13 billion originally proposed for next year.

In a statement, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto described the allocation of a record-breaking PHP113-billion subsidy as "the boldest and most decisive investment in universal healthcare for vulnerable and underprivileged Filipinos in the country's history."

"A significan...