PhilHealth systems partly restored after data leak

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 14) — A month after the data breach that affected at least 13 million members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), the state health insurer has yet to completely restore its systems.

«As of November 14, today, web-based systems, e-claims, members portal, etc. are restored, the core system are also restored. Not yet completely restored are the utility system like risk info system and other internal systems,» said Senator Pia Cayetano, sponsor of the proposed 2024 budget of the Department of Health (DOH).

This was disclosed during late night plenary debates in the Senate on the proposed ₱353.269 billion budget of the DOH for next year, including a ₱101.514 billion subsidy for PhilHealth.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino «Koko» Pimentel pointed out the sheer amount of government subsidy to PhilHealth, saying it should contain funding for information and communications technology.

«Because this ₱101 billion is a subsidy so meaning to say they have corporate funds. Did they neglect to set aside amounts for their computerized system to prevent this kind of hacking?» Pimentel asked.

«No neglect, your honor, according to Philhealth,» Cayetano replied.

«Let's just learn from this incident 'yung hackers nilagay online ang data na nakuha from PhilHealth system,» Pimentel stressed.

Cayetano, who defended the DOH family’s budget, said PhilHealth is working on beefing up its security system.

It has created a crisis committee, hired a security consultant, and established a business continuity plan, she also said.