A new study in the Philippines has revealed that the total health spending in the country had reached PHP1.4tn ($23.81bn) in 2024, which translates to about 5% of the country's GDP. According to a news report published in the Philippine daily Inquirer, the study conducted by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) found that the public spending drove most of this growth through the Department of Health, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and local gov

THE invitation to the private nonlife insurance industry to join what has been a historically government-dominated terrain of agricultural risk is not just timely — it is essential. In the Philippines, the agricultural insurance sector has long been shouldered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC). But the government’s recent move to open the field to private insurers signals a paradigm shift — one that offers industry, farmers and the nation alike a meaningful chance

In a circular letter, the Insurance Commission (IC), the regulator of the Philippines, ordered all insurance companies and related entities to undertake the following measures whenever a state of calamity is declared in the country: Expedite the processing approval, and payment of claims for damage attributable to said disasters, including relaxation of company procedures and documentary requirements. Extend the period for submitting claim notices and other required documents

The Philippine insurance industry recorded a 13.25% increase in total premiums as of the third quarter of 2025, according to data from the Insurance Commission (IC). Total industry premiums reached PHP372.08bn ($6.41bn) by the end of September, almost PHP50bn higher than the same period last year. Life insurance premiums climbed 13.77% to PHP299.45bn from PHP263.21bn a year earlier, while the non-life segment rose 13.07% from PHP53.13bn in Q3 2024 to PHP60.07bn in Q3 2025. Co

Southeast Asia may soon have an insurance programme for rebuilding damaged infrastructure following natural catastrophes. This was announced by the Philippine Department of Finance (DOF) after the 8th Technical Meeting of the Southeast Asia Disaster Risk Insurance Facility (SEADRIF) held in Kyoto, Japan, in October. The DOF said member countries at the meeting agreed to explore the creation of the SEA|DRIF Sovereign Asset and Fiscal Empowerment (SEADRIF-SAFE) facility. The in

The winners for the 29th Asia Insurance Industry Awards have been revealed, with 17 of the region's top insurers, reinsurers, brokers, risk managers and service providers bringing home a trophy. The awards are well known for their stringent criteria and transparent selection process, overseen by a panel of expert judges from across the insurance industry. This year, the awards attracted almost 200 entries in 17 categories. The event was held, as usual, in conjunction with the

Lifetime Achievement Award Michael F. Rellosa Philippines Insurers and Reinsurers Association