President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the adoption of the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP) 2020-2040, which will serve as the country’s overall plan for medical infrastructure and investment.
Under Memorandum Circular No. 26, the Department of Health is directed, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, to facilitate the dissemination and ensure the effective implementation of the PHFDP at the local level.
The DOH was also instructed to assist and support local government units in translating the PHFDP into a long-term local health facility development plan which will be reflected in their respective Local Investment Plans for Health and Local Development Investment Programs.
MC 26 likewise ordered the DOH to monitor the implementation of the PHFDP 2020-2040 and the development of local health facilities by encouraging the LGUs to enter into public-private partnerships (PPPs) to address the gaps in the development plan, with the assistance of the PPP Center.
The department was mandated to issue guidelines for the effective implementation of the health plan and submit annual reports to the Office of the Executive Secretary on the progress of the development plan.
“Moreover, the DOH, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments and the Fiscal Incentives Review Board, shall study, formulate, and implement policies that will encourage both domestic and international enterprises from the private sector to invest in health facilities aimed at addressing gaps in the PHFDP,” MC 26 read.
The funding requirements for the implementation of PHFDP 2020-2040 will be charged against the existing appropriations of respective agencies and LGUs.
Republic Act No. 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act of 2019 provides that the State shall adopt a framework that fosters a whole-of-system, whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach in the development and implementation of health policies, programs, and plans to ensure a people-oriented approach to the delivery of health services.
The health development plan operationalizes one of the strategies under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, particularly on the promotion of human and social development by boosting health through an accessible, efficient, and strengthened healthcare system.
“We are here to communicate with everyone, every health worker, public servant, health institution, and sector to map out how every Filipino might achieve Universal Health Care,” Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said in a separate Facebook post.
The triple burden of disease— communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCD), and globalization-related health conditions like pandemics—continue to be a priority public health concern, according to the Philippine Development Plan for 2023 to 2028.
Earlier this week, Herbosa said the government is working to encourage health workers and nurses to stay in the country in line with the President’s policy statement.
“He invites Filipino healthcare workers to serve the country and I agree with him. We should encourage and help our health workers to stay. He also shared the idea of helping the nurses pass and eventually obtain their licenses,” Herbosa said.