The Department of Health is seeking a ₱260.2-billion budget for 2026 to broaden the full implementation of Universal Health Care program across the country.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Thursday told lawmakers that the increased allocation aims to make essential health services more accessible for the people, in compliance with a directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Filipinos should have long felt the benefits of Universal Health Care (UHC) since it was enacted in 2019. The Department of Health has been gradually improving systems and services in hospitals and communities, but the work is not yet complete,” Herbosa said.
A major portion of the budget will fund the operations of DOH hospitals and facilities to ensure the continuation of Zero Balance Billing program for all Filipinos.
Unlike the previous No Balance Billing program that applied only to indigent patients after assessment, the new policy guarantees that all patients admitted to government hospitals will not pay for basic room services.
The administration began enforcing the Zero Balance Billing policy in more than 80 state-run hospitals across the country following the President’s announcement in his fourth State of the Nation Address.
The proposed budget also supports the expansion of public health programs and outpatient services through the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service centers, known as BUCAS.
There are now 53 BUCAS centers nationwide providing walk-in consultations and treatments for patients who do not require hospitalization.
Funds will also be used to establish more specialty centers across all regions, focusing on cardiovascular care, lung care, cancer care, and other critical services.
The DOH also plans to sustain the deployment of doctors and health professionals to underserved communities through programs like Doctors to the Barrios and Espesyalista para sa Bayan.
The budget further prioritizes health promotion and disease prevention programs such as PuroKalusugan, which focuses on tuberculosis, HIV, vaccine-preventable illnesses, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and other non-communicable diseases.
Herbosa emphasized that preventing diseases will maximize government resources by reducing hospital admissions.
“The increase in the DOH’s 2026 budget reflects a firm commitment to make UHC a tangible reality, which is a direct mandate of the President,” Herbosa said.
