PBBM: Goal is free, fully subsidized healthcare for Filipinos

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

FULLY-SUBSIDIZED HEALTHCARE. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to various local government units (LGUs) in Luzon on Wednesday (July 9, 2025). In his message, Marcos said his administration is focused not only on expanding emergency response equipment but also on building a stronger, more accessible healthcare system nationwide, including delivering fully subsidized healthcare services for Filipinos. (PNA photo by Darryl John Esguerra)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the government is working towards a long-term goal of providing fully subsidized healthcare for all Filipinos, eliminating the need for patients to make out-of-pocket payments for hospital care.

Speaking at the turnover of medical transport vehicles at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Marcos said the administration is focused not only on expanding emergency response equipment, but also on strengthening and expanding access to the country’s healthcare system.

“Kaya ipagpapatuloy namin ang pagpapatibay hindi lamang sa paramihan nitong transport vehicle, kung hindi pati na ang buong health system natin, buong healthcare system natin (We will continue to strengthen not just the number of transport vehicles, but the entire healthcare system),” Marcos said.

The President said efforts are underway to modernize public hospitals, establish specialty centers, and expand Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers for non-emergency cases that don’t require confinement.

He stressed that beyond improving infrastructure and services, the government is also working to lessen the financial burden on patients, with the end goal of eventually removing all out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare.

“Binababaan natin ang payment, ang bayad, kasi kahit papaano ‘yung pasyente pagka magpapatingin o magpapagaling ay mayroon pa ring kontribusyon.

At dahan-dahan naming babawasan ‘yang kontribusyon ng pasyente (We’re lowering the payments because patients still have to contribute when seeking care. We are gradually reducing those contributions),” he said.

Marcos said that once the economy is stable enough, the government could cover the full cost of hospital care, leaving only minimal administrative fees, similar to universal healthcare systems in other countries.

“Kung tayo’y magawa natin, ‘pag naayos natin ang ating ekonomiya nang mabuti at kaya na natin ay kaya naman siguro natin, wala ng kontribusyon ang pasyente (If we manage our economy well enough and we can afford it, we may eventually remove patient contributions altogether),” he said.

“Siguro ‘yung kagaya sa ibang lugar na nakikita ko na nasubukan ko, administrative cost lang (Just like in other countries I’ve seen and experienced—only a minimal administrative cost) … That is the aspiration,” he added.

The President acknowledged that the current system and budget are not yet sufficient to support a no-payment model but assured the public that the government is realigning its priorities to reach that vision.

The remarks form part of the Marcos administration’s broader push to improve public health access, especially for poor and underserved communities.

During the ceremony, a total of 387 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) were turned over to local government units in Luzon, marking the biggest single-day distribution of such vehicles by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to date.

An additional 123 units will be turned over to Visayas LGUs and 105 units to Mindanao within the week.