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Marcos Jr. says PH 80% towards achieving universal healthcare

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is confident that the government will soon achieve a universal healthcare for all Filipinos.</p><p>He said this after his visit at the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center in Balanga, Bataan ON Tuesday, September 2, 2025.</p><p>The president commended the hospital’s facilities and implementation of the zero-balance billing policy.</p><p>“Meron silang bagong feature dito sa Bataan General. Zero billing pa rin, pero imbis na pipila sa kahera ang pasyente bago ma-discharge, pag malapit nang ma-discharge yung pasyente, ay hinahatid sa kanila ‘yung kanilang zero billing, another added convenience which I think we should adopt all around the country,” he said in a statement to the media following the visit</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2025/8/5/alamin-mga-doh-hospitals-na-may-zero-balance-billing-0922">ALAMIN: Mga DOH hospitals na may zero balance billing</a></div><p>Marcos Jr. said more Filipinos are now seeking medical consultation because of the policy, adding that it is now up to the Department of Health and health workers “to pick up the pace”.</p><p>“It’s up to DOH and all our health workers to pick up the pace kasi talagang ‘yung mga dating nagdadalawang isip bago magpaospital, bago magpatingin, bago magpagamot ay nagdadalawang isip dahil nga iniisip nila, napakamahal at malaki ang babayaran nila at hindi nila kayang bayaran ‘yung mga gastos na gamot halimbawa sa mga testing. Kaya’t wala nang problema ngayon ‘yun,” he stated.</p><p>“Malapit na tayong umabot talaga sa Universal Healthcare. We are 80% of the way, kulang na lang —  kaunti na lang at matutupad na natin ‘yung Universal Healthcare,” Marcos Jr. noted.</p><p>In October 2023, Marcos Jr. approved the health department’s recommendation to create a coordinating council that will oversee the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act in the country</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/22/study-finds-health-workforce-gaps-threaten-uhc-rollout-in-philippines-0900">Workforce gaps threaten Universal Health Coverage: stud</a></div><p>He added that they are developing a healthcare system in the country that enhances ambulatory services for efficient delivery of medical services.</p><p>“Maalala ninyo BUCAS centers is ‘Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service’ center. Ito may screening, may lab test na, maternal, child services, ambulatory surgical services. At kung kaya sa BUCAS, ‘di dun na lang gagamutin ‘yung pasyente.  Ngunit kung kailangan magpa-confine, dadalhin din sila ng BUCAS bilang sila naman magsasabi kailangan mong magpa-confine,” the president said.</p><p>“My aspiration of course is to achieve the dream of universal healthcare for all our people. It’s just a question of building up the economy so we can afford it, number one, and putting in the system. The systems are all in place,” he added.</p><p>The chief executive further commended the work of medical professionals as he vowed to further improve the country’s healthcare system.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/13/lack-of-healthcare-workers-among-major-roadblocks-doh-official-1738">Lack of healthcare workers among &#x27;major roadblocks&#x27;: DOH official</a></div><p>“Alam niyo naman mga health workers natin, mga doktor natin mga nurse wala nang kasing sipag sa mga ‘yan. So kahit – kaya malaki kumpyansa ko basta’t magawa namin from the government side lahat sila na health workers hindi lang nurse, hindi lang doctor, lahat, kahit ‘yung non-medical, ‘yung mga medical technician, lahat ‘yan, dahil nakita ko na sa COVID ‘yang mga ‘yan hindi tayo pababayaan ng ating mga health workers so we will get there. We will get there,” he stated.</p>

<p>“Malapit na tayong umabot talaga sa Universal Healthcare. We are 80% of the way, kulang na lang — kaunti na lang at matutupad na natin ‘yung Universal Healthcare,” Marcos Jr. noted.</p>

“Malapit na tayong umabot talaga sa Universal Healthcare. We are 80% of the way, kulang na lang — kaunti na lang at matutupad na natin ‘yung Universal Healthcare,” Marcos Jr. noted.

Marcos Jr. says PH '80% of the way' towards achieving universal healthcare

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Marcos Jr. says PH '80% of the way' towards achieving universal healthcare

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 02, 2025 03:37 PM PHT

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Health

Healthcare

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

UHC

Universal Health Care Act

Department of Health

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