Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa vowed to expand the benefits provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) following the order of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of an additional P60 billion in the 2026 proposed budget of the agency.
On Wednesday ‘s budget hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee on Health chaired by Pia Cayetano, Herbosa said that they will increase PhilHealth’s benefits for those suffering from heart disease, diabetes, high blood, and cancer.
‘Gusto ng ating Pangulo na pataasin pa ang sinasagot ng PhilHealth sa ating mga gastusing pangkalusugan. Pati dental benefits at para sa mental health, ating dadagdagan,’ Herbosa said as the agency proposes for
P320.52 billion for the Department of Health (DOH) and its attached agencies and corporations.
Likewise, he also assured of the continuity of the Zero Balance Billing, seen to cover even bigger public hospitals in the provinces and cities.
‘May panukala ang DOH na magkaroon ng panibagong line item sa GAA, na tatawagin nating ‘Zero Balance Billing support for Level 2 and Level 3 LGU hospitals.’ Ito ay para sana hindi lamang sa DOH hospitals. Kung popondohan ito ay labis na makakatulong,’ Herbosa explained.
The hearing highlighted the nation’s ongoing efforts to fulfill Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) and bring the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law to life.
The proposed 2026 budget of DOH has increased from P303.86 billion in the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP) and P259.42 billion in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The Office of the Secretary is set to receive P263.96 billion, while attached specialty hospitals and agencies, including the Lung Center, Kidney Institute, Heart Center, and Children’s Medical Center, maintain steady funding. Meanwhile, the PhilHealth is set to receive P53.3 billion in 2026 from an entire year with zero subsidy.
As for the senators, they assured that the 2026 budget reflects both national legal mandates and global health goals.
They also urged all stakeholders to uphold the integrity of the UHC Law and accelerate progress toward SDG 3 by ensuring transparent, accountable, and health-focused budgeting.