Manila: Allowing PhilHealth members to occupy vacant pay ward beds when basic wards are full will help decongest public hospitals and speed up patient admissions, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said Monday. Cayetano emphasized that this measure would optimize the use of hospital resources, especially during peak times when charity wards are overwhelmed, but some pay beds remain unused.

According to Philippines News Agency, the senator highlighted the issue during Senate discussions on the proposed 2026 budget for the Department of Health. He questioned the current policy that restricts the use of vacant pay ward rooms, while basic wards are overcrowded with waiting patients.

Cayetano pointed out that in hospitals like the Philippine General Hospital, patients often find themselves without options when basic wards are full. He suggested that utilizing available pay ward spaces could provide an immediate remedy for those in need of urgent care.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, during the hearing, acknowledged that hospitals could accommodate patients in vacant pay wards during times of congestion, although the practice is not uniformly applied across all facilities. Herbosa stated that allocating patients to these wards is feasible, particularly when they are unoccupied.

Cayetano advocated for a more consistent application of this arrangement across government hospitals, including major institutions such as the Philippine General Hospital. He stressed the importance of promoting efficiency and ensuring prompt patient admissions.

Cayetano concluded by emphasizing the need to improve access to healthcare facilities, ensuring that all Filipinos receive necessary care without undue delay. He reiterated the importance of utilizing available resources to guarantee that no individual is left behind in receiving healthcare services.