“This 2026 budget is a health and education budget, and I’m tasked to defend it in Congress. So please tell your local congressman not to put any money out from the health budget,” Herbosa said during the first National Universal Health Care Summit.
“In fact, they should reallocate flood control funds to health—I will make sure it comes back to you,” he added.
The Health Secretary also revealed that the DOH is seeking to establish a Universal Health Care Coordinating Council to oversee the use of public health funds by cities and municipalities.
He said the proposed body would likewise address funding gaps and ensure effective implementation of the UHC law, which endeavors the DOH, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), PhilHealth, and LGUs to integrate health systems into “province-wide and city-wide health systems.”
“Gaps in financing and service delivery continue to affect many of our countrymen. These are not just technical issues, but they are also equity issues, and they demand urgent and united action,” Herbosa said.
