Insider Spotlight
During a health forum held at the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital on June 11, representatives from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), and Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) assessed the progress of UHC implementation and discussed the challenges facing the healthcare system.
Why it matters
The UHC Law has broadened access to healthcare services, improved financial protection, and expanded the availability of essential health services across communities.
Stakeholders said maintaining these achievements will require prudent fiscal management, responsive funding mechanisms, and continued investments in healthcare infrastructure and workforce development.
PhilHealth president Dr. Edwin M. Mercado highlighted reforms aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening healthcare access under the UHC framework.
“This irreversible shift in our baseline of support UHC Law— immediate eligibility from the and expanded benefit packages. Now our strategies must shift toward smarter spending through tailor-fit interventions to maximize the value of every peso spent for Filipinos,“ Mercado said in a press statement.
The bigger picture
PIDS health economist Dr. Valerie Gilbert Ulep stressed the importance of aligning healthcare expansion with sound fiscal planning and evidence-based policymaking. He said public trust in the healthcare system will depend on balancing broader access with long-term financial sustainability.
Meanwhile, PSAC health sector lead and Ayala Corp. chief social infrastructure officer Paolo Borromeo emphasized the role of public-private cooperation in strengthening healthcare delivery and financing systems.
“Universal Health Care is a shared commitment that extends beyond any single institution. Sustaining the momentum we have started requires strong partnerships across government, healthcare providers, industry, and the private sector. As healthcare needs continue to evolve, our collective challenge is not only to expand access, but also to build resilient and sustainable systems that can continue serving future generations of Filipinos,” Borromeo added.
Speakers agreed that healthcare should be viewed as both a social priority and an economic investment, noting that a healthier population supports workforce productivity, stronger communities, and long-term national competitiveness.
The forum forms part of broader efforts to promote dialogue on the future of healthcare financing and delivery in the Philippines. —Vanessa Hidalgo| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
