President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on healthcare institutions nationwide to guarantee that financial limitations do not block Filipinos from receiving critical medical treatment.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of a memorandum of agreement between the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and St. Luke’s Medical Center–Global City, the President rallied private medical facilities to support the government’s Universal Health Care initiative.
“We encourage more hospitals across the country to support PhilHealth in advancing Universal Health Care by embracing the No Co-Payment Policy. Together, let us ensure that no Filipino is denied the care that they need only because of financial hardship,” Marcos stated.
The newly inked agreement designates 53 beds at St. Luke’s Global City for qualified PhilHealth beneficiaries under the no-balance billing system, giving eligible patients access to specialized care without out-of-pocket costs at the private institution.
President Marcos noted that this strategic partnership aims to alleviate the anxiety patients feel regarding the high costs associated with private medical care, ensuring people are no longer deterred from seeking necessary treatment.
In an interview following the ceremony, the Chief Executive detailed the relief the program offers to ordinary citizens:
“Kaya kahit na yung dati na hindi nakakapunta sa private hospital kagaya ng St. Luke’s ay matutulungan na makapunta rito at bibigyan natin ng suporta galing—yung kagaya ng dati sa PhilHealth, sa DOH, at sa kung minsan kahit sa Office of the President,” he said.
“Pero ito ay para hindi na matatakot ang mga nagkakasakit na pumunta sa private hospital dahil wala silang pambayad,” Marcos added.
The Chief Executive emphasized that the administration actively seeks to establish similar arrangements across more private facilities to broaden specialized care coverage.
“Paparamihin pa natin ‘yan para lahat na talaga ng ating mga facilities, healthcare facilities ay kasama na sa mga programa natin para kahit na hindi lang yung mga may kaya ang makakapunta sa ating mga private hospital para makakuha sila nung specialized na healthcare na kung minsan ay kinakailangan nila ngunit wala silang pambayad kaya hindi sila lumalapit at hindi sila nagpapatingin sa ating mga private hospital,” Marcos explained.
Highlighting the overarching objective of the initiative, Marcos emphasized that the collaboration demonstrates that top-tier private healthcare can become accessible through joint public-private efforts.
“Malinaw ang ating hangarin. Hindi dapat maging hadlang ang kakulangan sa pera para makakuha ang kinakailangang atensiyong medical,” Marcos underscored.
“It is a simple yet universal belief that we must all uphold,” he added.
He concluded by urging the broader healthcare sector to dismantle financial, institutional, and geographic barriers, building a more responsive and affordable system for vulnerable families.