A significant effort by the Department of Health (DoH) to strengthen and enhance the nation’s healthcare system has been approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
During the 21st National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board meeting in Malacañang, President Marcos approved the “Philippines: Health System Resilience Project, Phase 1.” The program’s goal is to improve the country’s capacity to prevent, prepare for, and respond to health emergencies, especially in vulnerable areas.
Lessons learned from the pandemic are directly reflected in the P27.92 billion project, President Marcos emphasized. He noted that the global health crisis exposed deficiencies, which the project aims to properly address.
During the meeting, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa presented the proposal, and the President informed him that it was “specific to the needs of the Philippines, tailored to address even regional challenges.”
The initiative aims to create a stronger healthcare system, aligning with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028. It also includes project management, monitoring, evaluation, and a contingency emergency response component for unforeseen emergencies.
The project’s pilot phase will prioritize 17 provinces with poor access to healthcare, focusing on the regions that require the most assistance.
