A House special panel has increased funding for the Department of Health’s (DOH) assistance program and healthcare infrastructure projects to help lower hospitalization costs and strengthen government hospitals.
The Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee raised the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) budget by P24.96 billion to P49.19 billion from the proposed P24.23 billion.
Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia said the additional funding will help patients who cannot afford hospital bills and professional fees while supporting zero-balance billing in government hospitals.
The panel also added P1.54 billion to the DOH’s Health Facilities Enhancement Program.
The proposed budget changes still need approval from the full House Appropriations Committee before being taken up by the House, which aims to pass the P7.2-trillion national budget on final reading by Oct. 9.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 2, 2026
