Marcos administration’s health commitments face scrutiny amid PhilHealth budget cuts

While advocates commended President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s health-related initiatives in his fourth State of the Nation (SONA), others pointed out the “contradiction” of these initiatives with the defunding of the national health insurer, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

The initiatives mentioned in the SONA are “expected to significantly enhance access to essential health services, spanning the full continuum of care from prevention and early diagnosis to treatment and recovery,” said Teodoro B. Padilla, executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP), which represents the biopharmaceutical research industry in the country.

“These reforms represent a significant step forward in the country’s journey toward universal health coverage,” he said in an August 1 email.

“The PHAP recognizes that the government’s increasing investment in health is essential to ensuring that every Filipino receives timely and equitable care.”

The President outlined healthcare-related pronouncements on his July 28 address at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, including the following:

funding for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, and P1.7 billion for medicines for cancers not covered by PhilHealth

free kidney dialysis sessions for the entire year, including the necessary medications, courtesy of PhilHealth; free coverage also for heart attacks, open-heart surgery, and heart valve repair or replacement

the ongoing Walang Gutom Program that supports 600,000 nutritionally at-risk households this year

P1 billion allocation for barangay child development and bulilit centers

the 53 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) centers across 32 provinces that offer free check-ups, x-rays, and lab tests

“We are happy he was able to soft launch PhilHealth’s YAKAP program (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program),” said Dr. Lydia Ann Labro, medical specialist III of PhilHealth-PRO NCR South.

“Leaps and bounds yung increases ng benefits sa PhilHealth,” she said on the sidelines of a July 30 event.

We cannot celebrate coverage while ignoring the cost of silence, however, according to Dr. Anthony C. Leachon.

A “staggering” P60 billion was transferred from PhilHealth, which also has a zero-government subsidy in the proposed 2025 budget, the health reform advocate and past president of the Philippine College of Physicians said.

“This decision severely compromises the very backbone of our universal health care strategy,” he sent in a July 29 Viber message. “These decisions were made without public consultation, and in defiance of the Universal Health Care Act, which mandates that health funds serve only one purpose: healing.”

Republic Act Number 11223, known as the Universal Health Care Act, aims to provide equitable access to quality and affordable health-care services, with financial risk protection for all.

Dr. Leachon filed a petition on February 25 challenging the constitutionality of some provisions of the 2025 General Appropriations Act due to its zero allocation for PhilHealth subsidies.

“The promise of reducing out-of-pocket costs and healthcare premiums remains unmet, and families continue to shoulder the burden,” he told BusinessWorld.

“A resilient healthcare system isn’t built on seasonal programs—it demands strategic investment, long-term planning, and accountability,” he added.

“It’s time we move beyond optics and commit to genuine reform,” he said.

The Department of Health was sought for comment on this article. – Patricia B. Mirasol with contributions from Almira Louise S. Martinez