Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Pregnant women  wait at the CSV Maternity and Lying-in Clinic in Quezon City, October 02, 2018. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178053156992920181002-women-maternity-childbirth-JC-9832.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pregnant women  wait at the CSV Maternity and Lying-in Clinic in Quezon City, October 02, 2018<em>. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — When Nica became pregnant with her first child at the age of 14, fear kept her from seeking medical care. By the time she finally went for a prenatal checkup, she was already seven months pregnant. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/5/10/opinion-motherhood-a-journey-of-roses-and-thorns-1000">OPINION: Motherhood—A journey of roses and thorns</a></div><p>“14 years old po kasi ako nabuntis sa panganay ko. Tinago ko kasi sa family ko na buntis ako. Natatakot ako kasi baka itakwil nila ako,” she said.</p><p>Today, as she carries her third child, Nica says she understands the importance of regular prenatal consultations.</p><p>Prenatal checkups are not only essential for monitoring a baby&#x27;s growth and development. They also help healthcare providers assess the health of the mother and identify potential complications before they become life-threatening. </p><p>Regular consultations allow doctors and midwives to monitor conditions such as hypertension, gestational diabetes, anemia, and other health concerns that can increase the risks associated with pregnancy.</p><p>According to Dr. Laurence Sabido, Medical Officer of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), some pregnancies are automatically considered high-risk and require more specialized care. </p><p>“The Department of Health guidelines state that all first pregnancies and pregnancies at the fifth child and beyond are considered high-risk,” she said.</p><p>“These pregnancies should not be managed in a lying-in clinic but in a hospital setting.”</p><p>Through prenatal care, healthcare workers can determine whether a pregnancy is low-risk or high-risk and ensure that mothers receive appropriate medical attention.</p><div> </div><div><strong>MATERNAL MORTALITY IN PH STILL HIGH</strong></div><div> </div><p>Health authorities continue to be express concern about maternal mortality in the Philippines. Maternal mortality is the the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or even days following delivery.</p><p>Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that maternal mortality has improved in recent years but remains higher than global development targets.</p><p>In 2020, the maternal mortality ratio stood at 151 deaths for every 100,000. By 2024, that figure had declined to 119 deaths per 100,000.</p><p>While the decline means progress, it remains significantly above the Sustainable Development Goal target of 70 maternal deaths per 100,000.</p><p>Health experts say increasing access to prenatal care and skilled medical services is one of the most effective ways to reduce maternal deaths.</p><div> </div><div><strong>PHILHEALTH INCREASES MATERNITY BENEFITS</strong></div><div> </div><p>To encourage more pregnant women to seek medical care and deliver in proper healthcare facilities, PhilHealth has expanded its maternity benefit packages.</p><p>According to Mae Villa, Acting Vice President of PhilHealth&#x27;s Corporate Affairs Group, financial concerns often prevent expectant mothers from accessing healthcare services.</p><p>“Pregnancy can feel like a daily struggle for survival for many families. Increasing our benefits is important to help cushion their expenses, especially as the cost of living continues to rise,” Villa said. </p><p>Under the expanded coverage, the benefit package for hospital deliveries has increased substantially. </p><p>In 2025, PhilHealth covered up to P9,750 for hospital-based deliveries. That amount has now increased to P29,000. </p><p>Coverage for Caesarean section (C-section) deliveries has also been expanded, rising from P37,050 to P58,000. </p><p>PhilHealth has likewise increased coverage for other procedures related to maternal healthcare, including endometrial sampling or biopsy and dilation and curettage procedures. </p><p>The agency hopes the expanded benefits will encourage more women to seek care in hospitals and accredited healthcare facilities, where emergency services and specialists are available if complications arise. </p><p>“At the end of the day, we want our pregnant women and mothers to be properly cared for,” Villa said. “We understand that childbirth can be expensive. For those who hesitate to go to hospitals because of the cost, PhilHealth has increased its benefit packages.” </p><p>Beyond financial assistance, healthcare professionals stress that regular prenatal consultations remain one of the most important steps an expectant mother can take to protect her health and that of her baby. </p><p>In addition to delivery benefits, various prenatal tests and examinations are covered in hospitals and diagnostic centers as part of maternal healthcare services. </p><p>PhilHealth advises pregnant women to begin prenatal consultations early and attend regular checkups throughout their pregnancy to ensure any health concerns are detected and managed promptly. </p><p>More information on PhilHealth&#x27;s maternity benefit packages is available through the agency&#x27;s official channels and accredited healthcare facilities nationwide.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0j2tgYDeLm0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that maternal mortality has improved in recent years but remains higher than global development targets.</p>

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that maternal mortality has improved in recent years but remains higher than global development targets.

PhilHealth expands maternity, gynecologic care benefits

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PhilHealth expands maternity, gynecologic care benefits

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 04, 2026 08:08 AM PHT

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PhilHealth

maternal mortality

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maternity benefit package

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