The Department of Health (DOH) will continue implementing current policies for its medical assistance program while crafting new guidelines for 2026, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Wednesday.
“As of now, MAIFIP will be following the existing 2025 IRR. That will remain in effect until the 2026 version is finalized,” Herbosa said during a Palace briefing.
The revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program will incorporate provisions from the proposed 2026 national budget that prohibit politicians from distributing cash or other forms of financial assistance. The new IRR is expected to be completed by the end of January or February.
MAIFIP provides medical aid to eligible indigent and financially incapacitated patients for expenses not covered by PhilHealth, case rates, or other funding sources.
Critics had previously raised concerns over the program’s reliance on guarantee letters (GLs) from politicians, which promoted patronage politics.
Herbosa clarified that under the revised guidelines, patients will no longer need GLs and will instead use the zero-balance billing program in DOH hospitals.
“That’s their decision. If they want to accept a guarantee letter from a politician, that’s up to them,” he said, referring to private hospitals.
Section 19 of the 2026 General Appropriations Act further mandates that all cash assistance and aid be distributed exclusively by authorized government officers or accredited partners.
It prohibits elective officials, candidates, politicians, political parties, or their representatives from influencing, participating in, or attending the distribution of assistance—except for those with direct administrative and executive authority over the implementing agency.