Ching Bernos is pressing for details on how the government's universal health care program would be financed under a plan to decouple Pagcor from the funding arrangement, according to Manila Bulletin. The report, published Monday, September 28, 2026, centers on the lawmaker's call for clarity as the decoupling proposal moves forward.
At issue is where the money for UHC would come from if the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation is separated from its current role in supporting the program. Manila Bulletin reports that Bernos is seeking answers on the funding gap this could create, though the outlet did not provide the full text of the statement or the specific figures involved.
Universal health care in the Philippines relies on a mix of government appropriations and contributions from various revenue sources, with Pagcor among the agencies whose remittances have helped fund health programs. The decoupling plan, as reported, would change that setup, prompting questions about which funding streams would replace Pagcor's share.
Bernos's request for clarity reflects a broader concern: that any restructuring of Pagcor's obligations should not leave the health program short of resources. Manila Bulletin's report does not detail the lawmaker's proposed alternatives or the timeline for the decoupling plan.
What to watch next: whether health and finance officials respond with specifics on how UHC would be funded without Pagcor's contributions.
