© Department of Health 2023

Published by:

Performance Monitoring and Strategy Management Division

Department of Health
San Lazaro Compound
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Manila 1003, Philippines

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An electronic copy of this publication can be downloaded at www.doh.gov.ph/publications.

Suggested citation: Department of Health. (2023). Republic Act No. 11223: Universal Health
Care Act Implementation Report - Status as of June 2023. Manila,
Philippines: Department of Health.

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 Editorial Team

Adviser: Kenneth G. Ronquillo, MD, MPHM, CESO III

Editors: Lindsley Jeremiah D. Villarante, RN, MPH

Jerome E. Villacorta, MD, MPM

Technical Writers Mary Joy C. Padilla

and Researchers: Leah Rose F. Paras, RMT

Cover and Layout: Leah Rose F. Paras, RMT

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 Table of Contents

Executive Summary 5

UHC Conceptual Framework 6

Implementation Report per Key Result Area 7

Service Delivery 7

Health Workforce 14

Health Financing 17

Health Regulation 19

Governance and Health Information System 22

Social Determinants of Health 24

UHC Monitoring and Evaluation Results 26

Health System Goals 26

Service Delivery 27

Health Workforce 29

Health Financing 30

Health Regulation 31

Governance and Health Information System 31

Social Determinants of Health 32

Ways Forward 33

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 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

More than three years have passed since the implementation of Republic Act No. 11223, or the
Universal Health Care (UHC) Act, which was initiated with the signing of its Implementing Rules and
Regulations (IRR) in 2019. The health sector as led by the Department of Health (DOH) has
introduced systemic changes for each of the pillars of the health system. Notable highlights of the
UHC implementation are as follows:

● On Service Delivery: An enhanced primary care benefit package called Konsultasyong Sulit at
Tama or Konsulta Package, has been developed and launched. Currently there are 2,161
accredited providers that serve over 17 million Filipinos. Active advocacy for health facilities to
apply for accreditation is being conducted. In addition, to ensure the sustainability of primary
care efforts, five local government units (LGUs) and two private partners are undergoing the
pilot implementation of the Primary Care Provider Network (PCPN). In conjunction to these
developments, the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) is also in full swing. During
this administration, about 3,431 health infrastructure or equipping projects were completed.
The number of functional specialty centers also increased, from only 38 in 2021 to 98 by the
end of 2022. In preparation for the mandatory local health system integration, a total of 53
(91%) of the 58 UHC Integration Sites (IS) were able to achieve all of the 16 preparatory level
(Level 1) key result areas (KRAs). The DOH continuously provides technical support in
transforming local health systems, ensuring they become integrated managerially, technically,
and financially.
● On Health Workforce: The National Health Workforce Support System (NHWSS) enabled the
deployment of 25,955 health workers to areas in most need, including those classified as
Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). For Academic Year (AY) 2022-2023, a
total of 1,895 scholarships were awarded by the DOH to qualified students of health courses.
The enforcement of the Personnel Services (PS) limitations under the “Local Government Code”
was also waived in the FY 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA) to enable LGUs to effectively
implement devolved health functions or services at the local level.
● On Health Financing: Around 104 million Filipinos or 93% of the projected 112 million Filipino
population are now registered in the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). There was a
deferment of scheduled premium increases in 2022 and 2023, nevertheless, PhilHealth was able
to collect PhP 216.78 billion in 2022, a notable 16% rise from the PhP 186.22 billion collected in
2021. In 2023, a total of PhP 195 billion was appropriated for the implementation of the UHC
Act.
● On Health Regulation: In June 2023, PhilHealth issued the PhilHealth Circular No. 2023-0011,
“Recognition of Third-Party Accreditation (TPA) Mechanisms,” which is integral in the process
of acknowledging and incentivizing health facilities that demonstrate exemplary performance
and meet established standards. Meanwhile, the DOH issued 30 DOH-approved Clinical
Practice Guidelines (CPGs), which aim to ensure the quality and safety of health services. These
localized CPGs ensure that the recommendations are tailored to the Philippine context. The
full and continuous implementation of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) regulations also
reduced the the price of essential medicines by 40% on average and up to 93%.
● On Governance and Health Information System: A total of 98 HTA recommendations were
generated since 2020, which guided the financing decisions of DOH and PhilHealth. As of
March 2023, about 91.31% (2,365/2,590) of primary care facilities also employed the electronic
medical records (EMR) system, and 65.52% (304/464) of public hospitals implemented the
Integrated Hospital Operations and Management Information System (iHOMIS).
● On Social Determinants of Health: A total of 33 province- and city-wide health systems
(P/CWHS) were provided with financial and technical assistance through the Health
Promotion Playbooks on seven priority areas: (1) physical activity and diet, (2) environmental
health, (3) immunization, (4) substance abuse, (5) mental health, (6) reproductive health, and (7)
violence and injury prevention. Further, 273 last-mile elementary schools (LMES) were
supported in their implementation of Healthy Learning Institution (HLI) initiatives and 54
hospitals are currently implementing the Healthy Hospitals program.

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 UHC CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The UHC Act provided the state policy on the Philippine health system. It endeavors to
progressively realize universal health care through systemic approach and clear role delineation of
stakeholders and ensure equitable access to quality and affordable health care and protection
against financial risk. In order to visualize the direction to attain UHC, the DOH developed a
conceptual framework following a theory of change approach that provides a picture of the needed
efforts and objectives to attain UHC. In the framework there are six outcomes that would have to be
met for UHC to be met. These are:
1. Patient-centered care is provided by healthcare providers organized as integrated networks;
2. Adequate and equitably distributed, committed, and competent Human Resources for
Health in the health sector;
3. Sustainable, efficient, and equitable healthcare financing to ensure affordability of health
services;
4. Quality essential medicines, technologies, and health facilities are accessible for patients
and providers;
5. Health systems are developed with good governance and evidence-informed policies; and,
6. The physical, social, political, and economic qualities that make up the environment of the
local population is promotive and protective of health.

These outcomes are also parallel to the building blocks that make the health system, such as:
1. Service Delivery;
2. Health Workforce;
3. Health Financing;
4. Health Regulation;
5. Governance and Health Information, and;
6. Social Determinants of Health.

The sixth block was added in recognition of the high impact of health determinants to health
outcomes. In theory, attaining outcomes across these related components of the health system
would result in improvements leading to health goals. The three health goals are 1) Better Health
Outcomes, 2) Responsive Health System and, 3) Financial Risk Protection. In order to drive reforms
in the health system, the DOH, being the lead authority in health, is expected to enable
arrangements towards a UHC enabling policy environment. In the same vein, the role of health
stakeholders and the rest of the society is critical in attaining UHC outcomes and the health goals.
This report is arranged following the framework with sections covering the health system building
blocks represented as key result areas. This report outline hopefully provides a more meaningful
narrative of efforts towards UHC rather than provide a per provision update. The figure below
provides the UHC conceptual framework.

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 IMPLEMENTATION REPORT
per Key Result Area

I. SERVICE DELIVERY

Desired Outcome: Patient-centered care is provided by healthcare providers organized as

integrated networks.
Below are the status of implementation for the following chapters of the UHC Act:
● Chapter IV. Health Services Delivery
● Chapter V. Organization of Local Health Systems

Status of Implementation
Chapter IV. Health Services Delivery

PhilHealth Accreditation of Health Facilities

▶ To ensure access to preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care, the
availability of accredited health facilities is crucial. In 2022, PhilHealth accredited a total of
10,897 health facilities nationwide, an increase from 10,013 in 2021. These facilities include:
○ Hospitals ○ Maternity Care Package Providers
○ Infirmaries/Dispensaries ○ Outpatient HIV/AIDS Centers
○ Animal Bite Centers ○ Outpatient Malaria Providers
○ Ambulatory Surgical Clinics ○ TB-DOTS Providers
○ Drug Rehabilitation Centers ○ COVID-19 Testing Laboratories
○ Free-Standing Dialysis Clinics ○ COVID-19 Community Isolation Units
○ Family Planning Providers ○ COVID-19 Home Isolation Benefit Package
○ Konsulta Providers providers

PhilHealth Konsulta Package

▶ PhilHealth enhanced its primary care benefit package through its issuance of PhilHealth
Circular No. 2022-0005, or the “Implementing Guidelines for the PhilHealth Konsultasyong
Sulit at Tama (PhilHealth Konsulta) Package (Revision 1).” The Konsulta Package covers the
following:

● Services ● Drugs and medicines (21)

○ Consultation and case management for any ○ Oral rehydration salts
conditions ○ Paracetamol
○ Preventive health services ○ Simvastatin
○ Assistance in accessing services in partner facilities ○ Gliclazide
○ Referral to specialty and higher levels of care ○ Metformin
● Laboratory services (13) ○ Amoxicillin
○ CBC w/ platelet count ○ Co-Amoxiclav
○ Urinalysis ○ Cotrimoxazole
○ Fecalysis ○ Nitrofurantoin
○ Sputum microscopy ○ Ciprofloxacin
○ Fecal occult blood ○ Clarithromycin
○ Pap smear ○ Prednisone
○ Lipid profile ○ Salbutamol
○ Fasting blood sugar ○ Fluticasone + Salmeterol
○ Oral glucose tolerance test ○ Enalapril
○ Electrocardiogram ○ Metoprolol
○ Chest X-ray ○ Amlodipine
○ Creatinine ○ Hydrochlorothiazide
○ HbA1c ○ Losartan
○ Aspirin
○ Chlorpheniramine maleate

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▶ As of writing, there are 2,161 accredited Konsulta providers, serving 17 million beneficiaries
nationwide. PhilHealth intends to ramp up the registration of Konsulta beneficiaries
through the following:
● Konsulta Caravan. PhilHealth collaborates with LGUs to educate and encourage more
Filipinos to avail of the Konsulta package.
● Primary Care Provider Network (PCPN). A network of providers, whether public,
private or mixed, would be established to deliver Konsulta services in a coordinated and
integrated manner. The DOH, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and
PhilHealth, though the local health system integration, are targeting a pilot
implementation of network contracting of the PhilHealth Konsulta Program in 5 public
(South Cotabato, Guimaras, Quezon, Bataan, and Baguio City) and 2 private PCPNs
(QualiMed and Labx).
● Konsulta with SDG-Related Benefits Package. As approved by the PhilHealth Board of
Directors, the existing PhilHealth Konsulta will be expanded to integrate health services
in the current Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)-related benefit packages. This
approach emphasizes the role of integrated primary care providers in delivering
efficient and high-quality care for chronic diseases, contributing to the country's
commitment to achieving SDG-related targets. The implementation of this benefit
package is scheduled for 2024 in select sites through the Sulong UHC Program in
partnership with the DOH. The PhilHealth Konsulta with SDG-Related Benefits Package
will integrate the following benefit packages:
○ Konsulta Package
○ Outpatient Anti-Tuberculosis Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) Package
○ Outpatient Malaria Package
○ Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment (OHAT) Package
○ Animal Bite Package
▶ Comprehensive Outpatient Benefit Package (COBP) or Konsulta+. PhilHealth launched
Konsulta+ to align and enhance primary care and outpatient benefit packages, with a focus
on preventive and promotive health services, and to improve coordination among members
of the health care provider network (HCPN) through patient navigation. The Konsulta+ was
introduced through PhilHealth Circular 2022-0032, entitled “Governing Policies of the
Konsulta+.”

Other PhilHealth Benefit Packages

▶ Outpatient Mental Health Benefit Package. PhilHealth is set to launch its outpatient
mental health benefit package in the third quarter of 2023. This is an enhancement of the
existing benefits for behavioral and mental disorders and also in support of the Mental
Health Act of 2018. The package shall include drugs and medicines (in collaboration with
the DOH), diagnostic/laboratory services, and consultations.
▶ Severe Acute Malnutrition Benefit Package. Along with the DOH and UNICEF, a series of
workshops were conducted to plan and implement the field testing of the outpatient
therapeutic care (OTC) benefits for severe acute malnutrition (SAM) for children below 5
years of age. The SAM package shall cover drugs and medicines,
Ready-to-Use-Therapeutic-Food (RUTF), diagnostic/laboratory services, consultations, and
visitation/check-ups. This benefit package is set to launch by the fourth quarter of 2023.

PhilHealth GAMOT
▶ The PhilHealth Guaranteed Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) is a
stand-alone outpatient drug benefit package designed to provide coverage for essential
medicines through provider network-contracted public and/or private pharmacies and
healthcare facilities. Medications can be prescribed by PhilHealth Konsulta physicians and
dispensed by GAMOT facilities. The coverage provides PhP 9,000.00 per individual for
outpatient medication expenses. As approved by the PhilHealth Board, PhilHealth Gamot

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 shall serve as the pharmaceutical service delivery arm of the PhilHealth Konsulta with
SDG-Related Benefits Package. Its implementation is scheduled for January 2024 in selected
sites under the Sulong UHC Program.
▶ Currently, PhilHealth Konsulta covers 21 medications. By 2024, PhilHealth GAMOT is
expected to expand this coverage to include the following 53 medications:

● Anti-infectious ● Anti-asthma and COPD ● Anti-dyslipidemia

○ Amoxicillin* ○ Fluticasone + Salmeterol* ○ Atorvastatin
○ Azithromycin ○ Ipratropium ○ Rosuvastatin
○ Cefixime ○ Montelukast ○ Simvastatin*
○ Cefuroxime ○ Prednisone* ● Anti-hypertensive and cardiology
○ Ciprofloxacin* ○ Salbutamol* ○ Amlodipine*
○ Clarithromycin* ● Supportive/Other therapy ○ Atenolol
○ Clindamycin ○ Celecoxib ○ Captopril
○ Clotrimazole ○ Chlorphenamine* ○ Diltiazem
○ Cloxacillin ○ Diphenhydramine ○ Enalapril*
○ Co-amoxiclav* ○ Elemental iron ○ Hydrochlorothiazide*
○ Co-trimoxazole ○ Folic acid + Iron ferrous ○ Isosorbide dinitrate
(Sulfamethoxazole ○ Ibuprofen ○ Isosorbide mononitrate
+ Trimethoprim)* ○ Mefenamic acid ○ Losartan*
○ Doxycycline ○ Naproxen ○ Methyldopa
○ Erythromycin ○ Oral rehydration salts* ○ Metoprolol*
○ Metronidazole ○ Paracetamol* ○ Tamsulosin
○ Nitrofurantoin* ○ Vitex negundo (Lagundi) ● Nervous system
○ Oseltamivir ○ Zinc ○ Gabapentin
○ Tobramycin ● Anti-diabetics
● Anti-thrombotics ○ Gliclazide*
○ Aspirin* ○ Metformin* *Part of Konsulta's 21 medications

Oplan 156 Hemodialysis Sessions

▶ During the pandemic, Philhealth increased the covered hemodialysis (HD) sessions from 90
to 144. However, recognizing the needs of affected members, PhilHealth is again increasing
the covered sessions this time from 144 to 156. This enhancement would certainly help
many Filipinos especially as HD is the top procedure claimed in 2022 in terms of count
(3.6M claims totaling to PhP17.34B) and has consistently been one of the most availed
benefit package of the Corporation.

Rationalization of Selected Case Rates

▶ PhilHealth is set to expand three case rate packages from the top 10 paid benefit packages.
The PhilHealth Board of Directors has already approved the expansion of:
● High-Risk Pneumonia (from PhP 32,000 to PhP 90,100, a 182% increase);
● Acute Stroke, Ischemic (from PhP 28,000 to PhP 76,000, a 171% increase); and
● Acute Stroke, Hemorrhagic (from PhP 38,000 to PhP 80,000, a 111% increase).
▶ PhilHealth is also reviewing other existing benefit packages. Upon implementation of the
first three case rates, PhilHealth intends to release the next set of benefit enhancements
late 2023 until early 2024.

PhilHealth’s COVID-19 Pandemic Response

▶ PhilHealth continues to ensure the provision of benefit packages for testing, community
and home isolation, and inpatient care that continue to protect all Filipinos from
catastrophic health spending. As of June 3, 2023, PhilHealth paid more than 8.76 million
various COVID-19 claims totaling to PhP 73.83 billion. In terms of the count, testing
packages comprised 96.5% of the claims, isolation packages 0.8%, and inpatient packages
2.6%. As for the amount, inpatient claims accounted for 66%, testing 32%, and isolation 2%.

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Development of Health Facilities
▶ Between July 2022 and June 2023, an additional 3,431 HFEP projects were completed. From
2017 to 2023, a total of 21,539 (79.48%) projects were completed while 5,561 (20.52%)
projects are still ongoing.

Facility Type Completed July 2022 - June 2023 Total Completed 2017-2023
Barangay health station (BHS) 1,008 7,262
Rural health unit (RHU) 1,524 4,494
Polyclinic 4 38
LGU hospital 335 2,392
DOH hospital 345 6,940
Other healthcare facilities 215 413
TOTAL 3,431 21,539

▶ Out of the total allotment of PhP 136.1 billion from 2017 to 2023, about PhP 103.08 billion
(75.70%) has been obligated.
▶ Secured PhP 26.7 billion in funding for the construction of:
● 1,156 BHS
● 265 RHUs
● 309 new super health centers
● 97 ongoing super health centers
● 5 polyclinics
● 233 LGU hospitals
● 82 DOH hospitals with specialty centers
● 56 other health facilities
▶ Secured PhP 4.05 billion in funding for hospital operations, of which PhP 2.2 billion are
allotted for upgrading the 10 specialty centers below:
● Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center
● Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center
● Batangas Medical Center
● Bicol Medical Center
● Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center (formerly Bicol Regional Training and Teaching
Hospital)
● Western Visayas Medical Center
● Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center
● Eastern Visayas Medical Center
● Northern Mindanao
Note: The aforementioned funds were already sub-allotted to the implementing units for initiating the
procurement and construction of projects. Currently, the projects are in the procurement stage.
▶ Signing of the Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 26, entitled “Adopting the Philippine Health
Facility Development Plan (PHFDP) 2020-2040, Directing All National Government Agencies,
and Encouraging Local Government Units, to Undertake Efforts in Support Thereof”
▶ Specialty Centers: The 38 functional specialty centers in 2021 increased to 98 by the end of
2022. The DOH aims to establish an additional 231 specialty centers by the year 2028.
● A total of PhP 8.75 billion was allocated as funding for the establishment and upgrading
of specialty centers in 2023 alone.
● The Bicameral Conference Report of Senate Bill No. 2212 and House Bill No. 7751, which
aim to establish Specialty Centers in every region, was approved and ratified in the
House of Representatives (HRep) and Senate of the Philippines on May 31, 2023.
● Signing of the EO No. 19, s. 2023 entitled “Directing the Establishment of the Philippine
Heart Center Annex in the Clark Freeport Zone”

Public Health Units in Hospitals

▶ Efforts are underway to set up public health units (PHUs) within all hospitals in order to

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 streamline the delivery of population-based health services. As reported by the Health
Facility Profiling (HFP) System, there were a total of 439 PHUs established nationwide as of
December 2022. These were distributed across various types of hospitals, with 75 in DOH
hospitals, 201 in LGU hospitals, 156 in private hospitals, and 7 in other hospitals.
▶ The functionality of established public health units (PHUs) in hospitals was also assessed
using the HFP System. In 2022, the functionality scores of PHUs per hospital level were as
follows:
● Level 1 hospitals: 57%
● Level 2 hospitals: 81.46%
● Level 3 hospitals: 76.56%

National Patient Navigation and Referral Center

▶ A total of 14,896 transactions were catered from July 1, 2022 to June 15, 2023. The leading
transactions were: hospital admissions (3,497 or 26.50%), inter-facility transfers (3,620 or
24.30%) and other inquiries (1,967 or 13.20%).

Type of Service Total No. of Transactions %

Hospital admission 3,947 26.50%
Inter-facility transfer 3,620 24.30%
Inquiries 1,967 13.20%
Isolation in Temporary Treatment and
1,256 8.43%
Monitoring Facility (TTMF) and hotel
Vaccination Certificate (VaxCert) 1,115 7.49%
Financial assistance 913 6.13%
OPD Consult 884 5.93%
Non-specialist requiring teleconsultation 773 5.19%
Medical transportation assistance 340 2.28%
Medical repatriation 77 0.52%
Returning Overseas Filipinos (OFs) request for
4 0.03%
facility-based quarantine
Total 14,896 100%

DOH Telemedicine Service Program

▶ A total of 198,057 telemedicine consultations were catered from July 1, 2022 to June 15,
2023.

Type of Service Total No. of Transactions %

Issuance of electronic prescription 120,784 60.98%
Health advice and counseling 75,494 38.12%
Referral to ER and/or medical specialist 1,779 0.90%
Total 198,057 100%

▶ 11 third-party telemedicine providers reviewed and monitored under the telemedicine

sandbox for COVID-19
▶ Implementation of telemedicine projects in 90% of DOH managed hospitals (63/70), 24% of
rural health units (617/2500), and 23% of hospitals (309/1,350)

Epidemiology and Surveillance

▶ Controlled/closed 100% (3,429) of verified public health events and/or outbreaks in 2022

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▶ Generated and disseminated 97.32% (13,298 / 13,664) of epidemiological and public health
surveillance strategic reports in 2022
▶ Status of Epidemiology and Surveillance Units in 2022:
● 100% (17 / 17) functionality of Regional ESUs
● 92% (75 / 81) functionality of Provincial ESUs
● 73% (107 / 146) functionality of City ESUs
● 66% (989 / 1488) functionality of Municipal ESUs

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health (DRRM-H)

▶ 986 capacitated health workforce on DRRM-H skills and knowledge
▶ Provided mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services to 625 service providers
deployed during major disasters such as Typhoon Odette, Typhoon Agaton and Abra
Earthquake
▶ In 2022, 523 LGUs have institutionalized DRRM-H systems. Institutionalized means that the
LGUs possess the four minimum components: (1) DRRM-H plan, (2) health emergency
response team, (3) health emergency commodities, and (4) functional emergency operations
center (EOC).

Status of Implementation
Chapter V. Organization of Local Health Systems

Integration of Local Health Systems

▶ The DOH - Bureau of Local Health Systems Development (BLHSD), developed the Local
Health Systems Maturity Level (LHS ML) as a tool to track the progress of LGUs in LHS
integration and as a general framework for technical assistance provision for UHC. The LHS
ML consists of ten integration characteristics managed by different DOH Central Office
(CO) bureaus and services.
▶ Based on the CY 2022 LHS ML Annual Report, a total of 53 (91%) of the 58 UHC Integration
Sites (IS) were able to achieve all of the 16 preparatory level (Level 1) key result areas (KRAs).
In terms of the 13 UHC IS which were added in April 2022, 4 (31%) also attained the
preparatory level.
▶ To enhance monitoring capabilities, the DOH-BLHSD developed the LHS ML Information
System. It currently serves as the official data encoding and reporting platform to track the
progress of LHS integration. It underwent pilot testing and consultations in Iloilo City in
April 2022, prior to its official roll-out in September 2022. Several orientations were also
conducted for DOH-CO, Centers for Health Development (CHDs), and Ministry of Health -
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM)​in November 2022.

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 II. HEALTH WORKFORCE

Desired Outcome: Adequate and equitably distributed, committed, and competent Human
Resources for Health in the health sector.
Below are the status of implementation for the UHC Act Chapter VI. Human Resources for
Health:

Status of Implementation
Chapter VI. Human Resources for Health

National Human Resources for Health Master Plan

▶ In May 2022, the LGU-centric Communication Plan of the National Human Resources for
Health Master Plan (NHRHMP) was formulated with technical assistance from the WHO.
The Communication Plan aims to guide marketing and advocacy activities, adopt the
NHRHMP’s strategies, and engage relevant stakeholders, particularly targeting local
implementers.
▶ In June 2022, the Human Resources for Health (HRH) projections and cost estimates for the
implementation of NHRHMP were presented to the National Economic Development
Authority Social Development Committee (NEDA SDC). Subsequently, the NEDA SDC issued
Resolution No. 1, s. 2022, granting full approval of the NHRHMP and recommending the
development of an Executive Order (EO) to effect its implementation.
▶ Development of the EO on NHRHMP, ongoing consultations with the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM) on funding requirements (target completion set for Q2 of 2024)
▶ Development of the Implementation Plan, ongoing writeshops and consultations (target
completion set for Q4 of 2023)

National Health Workforce Support System

▶ The DOH is committed to pursue an equitable distribution of competent and
compassionate health workforce to improve access to quality health services in priority
areas of need. To this end, the Department strategically deploys HRH in areas of need
through the National Health Workforce Support System (NHWSS). In 2022, about 25,955
HRH were hired and deployed, with all 1,634 priority areas being augmented. This led to the
attainment of a 19 HRH per 10,000 population ratio, surpassing the annual target of 17 HRH
per 10,000 population ratio.

HRH Cadre / Program 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Doctors 1
516 456 496 705 1,157 1,435
UHC Implementers 2
1,477 1,334 - - - -
UHC Implementer Deployment Program (UHCIDP)
Nurses
16,927 16,243 18,166 18,994 16,820 17,566
Nurse Deployment Program (NDP)
Midwives
4,549 5,022 4,600 4,585 4,439 5,488
Rural Health Midwives Placement Program (RHMPP)
Medical Technologists
569 655 601 611 643 648
Medical Technologist Deployment Program (MTDP)
Dentists
272 278 223 199 195 161
Dentist Deployment Program (DDP)
Public Health Associates3
2,771 2,640 3,087 3,876 - -
Public Health Associate Deployment Program (PHADP)
Family Health Associates4
611 1,613 - - - -
Family Health Associate Deployment Program (FHADP)
Pharmacists
- 276 309 303 341 378
Pharmacist Deployment Project (PDP)

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 HRH Cadre / Program 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Nutritionists-Dietitians
- - 195 195 196 208
Nutritionist-Dietitian Deployment Project (NDDP)
Physical Therapists
- - 66 56 65 71
Physical Therapist Deployment Project (PTDP)
Total 27,692 28,517 28,463 29,524 23,856 25,955

1
The deployment of doctors has been facilitated through the Doctors to the Barrio (DTTB) Program since 1993, Medical Pool
Placement and Utilization Program (MPPUP) since 2014, Physician Augmentation Program from 2017-2018, and Post-Residency
Deployment Program (PRDP) since 2019.
2
The functions of UHC implementers are already covered in the DTTB Program, thus, this program was discontinued in 2019.
3
The deployment of Public Health Associates has been relegated to the Epidemiology Bureau, hence its non-inclusion from 2021
onwards in the NHWSS.
4
The functions of the Family Health Associates are already covered in the NDP, thus, this program was discontinued in 2019.

▶ Pre-Service Scholarship Program (PSSP): In 2022, the DOH expanded the PSSP to include
Bachelor's Degrees in Medical Technology and Pharmacy. The program welcomed 1,895
scholars for the Academic Year (AY) 2022-2023, with 1,081 pursuing Medicine, 693 in
Midwifery, 61 in Medical Technology, and 60 in Pharmacy. However, starting from AY
2022-2023, the full implementation of the medical scholarship program will be transferred
to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), by virtue of RA No. 11509, or the “Doktor
Para Sa Bayan” Act.

Course 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 Total

Medicine 508 846 1,144 1,296 1,398 1,081 6,273

Midwifery 270 849 1,101 935 845 693 4,693

Medical Technology - - - - - 61 61

Pharmacy - - - - - 60 60
Total 778 1,695 2,245 2,231 2,243 1,895 11,087

▶ Doctors to the Barrio (DTTB) Program: As of May 2023, about 197 of 216 (91.20%) identified
municipalities have deployed DTTBs, leaving 19 doctorless municipalities, namely:
● Odiongan, Romblon ● Pata, Sulu
● Alicia, Bohol ● Tongkil, Sulu
● Pilar, Cebu ● Panglima Estino (New Panamao), Sulu
● Pagsanghan, Samar ● Kalingalan Caluang, Sulu
● Limasawa, Southern Leyte ● Turtle Islands, Tawi-tawi
● Almagro, Samar ● Bongao (Capital), Tawi-tawi
● Matuguinao, Samar ● Languyan, Tawi-tawi
● South Upi, Maguindanao ● Siasi, Sulu
● Hadji Mohammad Ajul, Basilan ● Tabuan-Lasa, Basilan
● Pandami, Sulu
▶ DOH Academy E-Learning Platform: Through the DOH Academy, the DOH is able to
provide an alternative method of capacitating health workers through online and blended
courses. As of June 15, 2023, there were a total of 191,530 enrollees in the DOH Academy.

Barangay Health Workers

● In 2022, the DOH-BLHSD collaborated with the HHRDB and the Health Promotion
Bureau (HPB) to update the Barangay Health Workers’ (BHW) Reference Manual and
Facilitators’ Guide. These manuals were developed in consultation with the Culion
Foundation, commissioned by the WHO. Notable additions to the manuals include an
overview of the UHC Act, primary care, health promotion, mental health awareness,
community organization during disasters, effective communication and
self-management skills, and guidance on maintaining health stations. In order to
cascade the BHW Reference Manual and Facilitators’ Guide, the DOH conducted a
Training of Trainers to LHS division chiefs, BHW coordinators, and health education and
promotion officers (HEPOs) in Cebu City on September 6-9, 2022.

⮘ 14 ⮚
 ● HB No. 6557 or the “Magna Carta for BHWs” was approved on Third Reading in the HRep
on December 12, 2022. The DOH then submitted a supporting position paper for Senate
bills on March 22, 2023.
● Number of registered and accredited BHWs (as of June 1, 2023): 247,628
● Provision of Performance-Based Incentives (PBI) to BHWs through BHW Federations
(PhP 10.2 million distributed to CHDs and MOH-BARMM)

LGU Health Workforce

▶ Section 93 of the General Provision of the FY 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA) waived
the enforcement of the Personnel Services (PS) limitations under the RA No. 7160, or the
“Local Government Code” to enable LGUs to effectively implement devolved health
functions or services at the local level. These include the payment of salaries and benefits of
health personnel that may be hired to perform functions related to emergency situations,
payment of special benefits that may be authorized to be granted to LGU personnel during
emergency situations, pay the salary differentials of LGU-hired public health workers to
fully implement the provisions of RA No. 7305, or the “Magna Carta of Public Health
Workers,” and payment of salaries and other benefits of additional personnel that may be
hired by the LGUs to implement the devolved basic services and functions.
● In compliance with the mentioned provision, the DBM issued Local Budget Circular No.
145, entitled “Guidelines on the Implementation of PS Limitation on Local Government
Budgets and Determination of Waived PS Items Pursuant to Section 93 of the General
Provisions (GPs) of the FY 2022 GAA, RA No. 11639, and Years Thereafter.”

⮘ 15 ⮚
 III. HEALTH FINANCING

Desired outcome: Sustainable, efficient, and equitable healthcare financing to ensure

affordability of health services.
Below are the status of implementation for the following chapters of the UHC Act:
● Chapter II. Universal Health Care
● Chapter III. National Health Insurance Program
● Chapter V. Organization of Local Health Systems
● Chapter IX. Appropriations

Status of Implementation
Chapter II. Universal Health Care
Chapter III. National Health Insurance Program

Program Membership
▶ With the signing of the UHC Act, all Filipinos are automatically covered under the National
Health Insurance Program (NHIP). As of December 2022, over 104 million Filipinos, or 93%
of the projected population of 112 million, are registered in the NHIP. The disaggregation of
registered beneficiaries is presented in the table below.

Category Members (M) Dependents (D) Beneficiaries (M+D)

Direct Contributors 35,305,072 29,749,054 65,054,126
Employed: Private 17,114,873 12,434,149 29,549,022
Employed: Government 2,861,807 4,094,640 6,956,447
Informal / Self-Earning 10,527,770 9,559,109 20,086,879
OFWs / Migrant Workers 3,300,824 2,517,998 5,818,822
Lifetime Members 1,416,433 1,091,029 2,507,462
Kasambahay 75,011 48,286 123,297
Others* 8,354 3,843 12,197
Indirect Contributors 23,721,597 15,322,860 39,044,457
Indigents / NHTS-PR 13,674,602 11,754,805 25,429,407
Senior Citizens 9,093,455 2,658,203 11,751,658
Sponsored Program 810,612 908,790 1,719,402
PWDs 142,928 1,062 143,990
Total 59,026,669 45,071,914 104,098,583
*Includes Family Drivers, Filipinos w/ Dual Citizenship, Naturalized Filipino Citizens, PRA Foreign Retirees, Citizens of Other
Countries working/ residing/ studying in the Philippines

Entitlement to Benefits
▶ With the expansion of PhilHealth coverage, benefit expenses have gradually increased over
the years. In 2021, PhilHealth's benefit expenses amounted to PhP 140.16 billion, and in 2022,
it increased by 2.4% to reach PhP 143.56 billion. Conversely, there has been a notable
decrease in out-of-pocket (OOP) health spending as a percentage of current health
expenditure, declining from 48.8% in 2019 to 41.5% in 2021. (Philippine National Health
Accounts [PNHA], 2022)

Shifting Provider-Payment Mechanisms

▶ PhilHealth has already begun work on adopting performance-driven, close-end,
prospective payments based on disease or diagnosis related groupings and validated
costing methodologies. Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) are based on a broader set of
components for determining clinical and economic costs of care. Through DRGs, payments

⮘ 16 ⮚
 are more responsive to inpatient care's complexities and improve providers’ efficiency by
linking clinical standards and resource needs. DRG implementation is targeted to
commence in 2025.
▶ With the transition to DRGs, PhilHealth will also soon transition from the
“No-Balance-Billing” (NBB) program to the “No Copay” and “Fixed Copay” initiative. This is
essentially a step-up as not only will it cover all member categories, but PhilHealth support
value is also expected to improve. In the “No Copay” program there will be zero
out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses for members availing of benefits in basic accommodations
(e.g. ward-type). As for “Fixed copay,” initial discussions point to providing members options
by paying a fixed amount to supplement PhilHealth’s benefit package, instead of the varying
costs presently charged by health facilities, among others.

No Co-Payment Policy
▶ In 2022, around 98.99% (770,871 / 778,753) of patients in basic accommodation benefited
from the zero co-payment scheme.

Premium Contributions
▶ The deferment of scheduled premium increases in 2022 and 2023 adversely affected
PhilHealth's collection efforts, potentially impeding the timelines for UHC Act
implementation. Nevertheless, PhilHealth was able to collect PhP 216.78 billion in 2022, a
notable 16% rise from the PhP 186.22 billion collected in 2021.

Status of Implementation
Chapter V. Organization of Local Health Systems

Local Investment Plan for Health

▶ Every year, the DOH-BLHSD provides a venue for the DOH-CO to orient the CHDs and
MOH-BARMM regarding program directions and discuss the DOH menu of assistance to
LGUs. The CHDs and MOH-BARMM then cascade this information to their respective LGUs,
providing guidance in the development of the Local Investment Plan for Health (LIPH) and
Annual Operational Plan (AOP). To streamline the local planning process, an LIPH
Information System (IS) was developed in June 2021, which has been adopted by LGU health
planners since then. To date, 78 (65%) of the 120 provinces, highly urbanized cities (HUCs),
and independent component cities (ICC), and all 17 of the CHDs and MOH-BARMM are
using the LIPH IS.
▶ In order to continuously capacitate the LGUs and other stakeholders in the development of
LIPH and AOP, the DOH-BLHSD with the assistance of the Health Human Resource
Development Bureau (HHRDB) developed the Module on Development of LIPH under the
Health Financing Section in the DOH Academy. This may be accessed by CHDs and LGU
planning teams to guide them in the specific steps of LIPH / AOP development as per AO
No. 2020-0022, or the “Guidelines on the Development of LIPH”.

Special Health Fund

▶ Section 20 of the UHC Act stipulates that all health resources intended for the financing of
population-based and individual-based health services, health system operating costs,
capital investments, remuneration of additional health workers, and incentives for all health
workers shall be pooled to the Special Health Fund. In addition, Section 21 states that all
income derived from PhilHealth payments shall accrue to the SHF to be allocated by the
LGUs exclusively for the improvement of the LGU health systems. To institutionalize the
creation of the SHF, the following guidelines were issued:
● DOH-DBM-DOF-DILG-PhilHealth Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2021-0001, or
the “Guidelines on the Allocation, Utilization, and Monitoring of, and Accountability for
the SHF”

⮘ 17 ⮚
 ● DOH DM No. 2023-0168, or the “Interim Guidelines on the Use and Management of the
Special Health Fund”
● Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 2023-002, or the “Accounting Guidelines on the
Implementation of the PhilHealth Prospective Payment Mechanism (PPM) - Capitation on
PCPN Contracting Arrangement through the PhilHealth Konsulta Package in Sandbox
Sites / Networks”
● COA Circular No. 2023-003, or the “Accounting and Reporting Guidelines for the SHF for
Province- and City-Wide Health Systems (P/CWHS)”
▶ The SHF ensures that the resources allocated for health services in local government units
(LGUs) are properly accounted for and directly benefit the ordinary Filipino. The pilot
testing of the SHF is scheduled to take place in South Cotabato, Guimaras, Quezon, Bataan,
and Baguio City

Status of Implementation
Chapter IX. Appropriations

▶ The entire DOH budget supports the implementation of the UHC Act. The table below only
reflects the budget allocation that is specific for the implementation of the UHC Act
provisions, including funding support for COVID-19 response and health system resilience
as these activities are intertwined with UHC-related activities.

Summary of UHC, COVID-19 & Health Systems Resilience Budget*

Note: Amount in Billion PhP, Sources: GAA only (excludes released SARO on FAPs and B1 and B2 Funds)

GAA 2020a GAA 2021b GAA 2022 GAA 2023

Agency Total Total Total Total

Amount Amount Amount Amount
Agency Agency Agency Agency
(% to Total) (% to Total) (% to Total) (% to Total)
Budget Budget Budget Budget

42.47 60.24 97.50c 94.78

DOH- OSEC 104.03 138.39 187.84 214.55
(41%) (44%) (52%) (44%)
71.35 71.35 79.99 100.23
PhilHealth 71.35 71.35 79.99 100.23
(100%) (100%) (100%) (100%)
113.82 131.59 177.49 195.01
Grand Total 175.38 209.75 267.83 314.78
(65%) (63%) (66%) (62%)
* - Tagging of line items is based on 2023 Budget Priorities Framework from 2020-2022 for consistency, includes RLIP
and SAGF budget
a - For 2020, sources of funds include GAA only. Excludes the following: PhP 1.91B earlier release to RITM, PhP 1.38B
Released SAROs (FAPs), PhP 45.72B Bayanihan I, PhP 20.57B Bayanihan II, PhP PhP 2.5B Cash Donation, PhP 2.92B QRF
and Calamity Fund, PhP 452M 2019 CONAP and 2020 Savings,
b - For 2021, sources of funds include GAA only. Excludes the following: PhP 63.01B Released SAROs for new loans
and/or front loaded investments & new SAROs released for Bayanihan
c - For 2022, exclusive of the Unprogrammed Appropriations

⮘ 18 ⮚
 IV. HEALTH REGULATION

Desired Outcome: Quality essential medicines, technologies, and health facilities are
accessible for patients and providers.
Below are the status of implementation for the UHC Act Chapter VII. Regulation:

Status of Implementation
Chapter VII. Regulation

PhilHealth Rating System

▶ PhilHealth remains committed to promoting a culture of quality and safety within
healthcare facilities, all the while ensuring universal access to healthcare for its members.
In line with this commitment, PhilHealth utilizes the Benchbook for Hospitals (2nd Edition)
and the Benchbook for Non-Hospital Health Care Facilities as tools to acknowledge and
incentivize health facilities that demonstrate exemplary performance and meet established
standards through PhilHealth-recognized third-party accreditation (TPA) mechanisms. To
facilitate this process, PhilHealth has issued PhilHealth Circular No. 2023-0011, entitled
“Recognition of TPA Mechanisms,” in June 2023.

Health Facility Licensing and Regulation

▶ The following policies and guidelines on health facility licensing and regulation were
developed:
● AO No. 2020-0047 “Rules and Regulations Governing the Licensure of Primary Care
Facilities in the Philippines” and AO No. 2020-0047-A for its amendment
● AO No. 2021-0029 “Guidelines on the Prioritization of Processing of Applications for DOH
Authorizations of Health Facilities Located in GIDAs in the Philippines”
● AO No. 2022-0012 “Rules and Regulations Governing the Licensure of Cancer Treatment
Facilities in the Philippines”
● AO No. 2023-0004 “New Rules and Regulations Governing the Licensure of COVID-19
Testing Laboratories Performing Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT)”
▶ 85.71% (63,607 / 74,210) of health establishments and health products compliant with
regulatory policies from July 2022 to May 2023
▶ Modernization and digitalization of FDA systems for License to Operate (LTO),
Compassionate Special Permit (CSP), and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR)

Clinical Practice Guidelines and Omnibus Health Guidelines

▶ The following policies on the development of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) were
issued:
● AO No. 2021-0020 "Revised Guidelines on National Practice Guideline Development,
Adoption, and Dissemination
● AO No. 2023-0002 "Institutionalization of the Expanded National Practice Guidelines
Program"
● DC No. 2023-0181 "Result of the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Topic Prioritization for
CY 2023 CPG Development"
○ Five CPG topics were prioritized for DOH funding and would be developed by the
University of the Philippines - National Institute of Health (UP-NIH) in collaboration
with relevant stakeholders. These include: (1) COVID-19 and other Emerging and
Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, (2) Substance Use Disorder, (3) Animal bites, (4)
Adult asthma, and (5) HIV infection.
▶ Development and dissemination of 30 DOH-approved Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs),
which aim to ensure the quality and safety of health services. These localized CPGs ensure
that the recommendations are tailored to the Philippine context.

⮘ 19 ⮚
▶ Issuance of AO No. 2022-0018, entitled “Development and Utilization of the Omnibus Health
Guidelines per Life Stage,” which consolidate evidence-based standards of care for service
delivery, across all life stages (child, adolescent, adult, elderly) and across the entire
spectrum of care, from prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliation.

Drug Price Reference Index

▶ The following policies and guidelines on Drug Price Reference Index were developed:
● AO No. 2019-0040 "Revised Guidelines in the Implementation of the Philippine Drug Price
Reference Index to all Public Hospitals and Health Facilities"
● AO No. 2021-0038 "Framework for the Philippine Essential Medical Devices List and Price
Reference Index"
▶ The DOH issued the latest 2023 Drug Price Reference Index 11th Edition through DC No.
2023-0313 "Dissemination of the 2023 Drug Price Reference Index 11th Edition Electronic
Copy", which serves as the reference price for all government health facilities on their
procurement.

Price Negotiation Board

▶ The Price Negotiation Board was established through DOH-DTI-PHIC JAO No. 2021-0001
“Constitution of the Price Negotiation Board and Implementing Guidelines on Price
Negotiation for Innovative, Proprietary, Patented and Single-sourced Health Commodities”
▶ Two commodities, Trastuzumab and Bedaquiline, used by public health programs of the
DOH had been negotiated by the Price Negotiation Board in 2022. Renewal of the
negotiated price of Bedaquiline was issued last June 8, 2023.
▶ The latest reconstitution of the Price Negotiation Board was issued through DPO No.
2023-2928 "Reconstitution of the Price Negotiation Board", consisting of representatives of
the DOH Central Office, PhilHealth, Department of Trade and Industry, and from selected
Civil Society Organizations.

Drug Price Monitoring

▶ The Electronic Drug Price Monitoring System (EDPMS) was established to provide the
government information to effectively develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate policies
for medicines access, such as for drug price negotiation, pooled procurement and health
benefit packages, RA No. 9502 (“Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of
2008”) and price act policies such as the maximum and suggested retail price.
▶ The EDPMS had been collecting prices from all drug establishments and outlets nationwide,
all essential medicines and selected non-essential medicines.
▶ In 2021, the EDPMS expanded its list of medicines to incorporate the medicines included in
the latest edition of the Philippine National Formulary and VAT-exempted medicines
covered by the RA No. 11534 “Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act or
CREATE Act”.
▶ Launch of the DOH Health Facility Price Advisory Mobile Application - DC No. 2021-0454,
entitled “Utilization of the DOH Health Facility Price Advisory Mobile Application for Public
Access to Price Information by Hospitals and Other Health Facility Service Providers”
▶ Launch of the electronic Philippine National Formulary (ePNF) in November 2022

Fairly Priced Generics

▶ The following policies and guidelines on Fairly Priced Generics were developed:
● AO No. 2021-0035 “Mandatory Provision of Fairly Priced Generics in Support of the UHC
Act” and AO No. 2021-0035-A as its amendment, which set the guidelines for the drug
outlets to make available and offer fairly priced generic equivalents of drugs under the
DOH Primary Care Formulary.
● DC No. 2021-0570 “List of Generic Medicines under the Primary Care Formula with fair
Priced under AO No. 2021-0035”

⮘ 20 ⮚
Maximum Retail Price
▶ Price reductions of essential medicines by 40% on average and up to 93% due to the
Maximum Retail Price (MRP) regulation; 34 drug molecules or 87 drug formulations were
regulated and reduced to as much as 93% from current prices due to the full and
continuous implementation of EO No. 104, s. 2020 and EO No. 155, s. 2021.

Generics Advocacy
▶ The presence of generic medicines in the pharmaceutical market has been steadily
increasing over the years. In terms of value, 54% were from the sale of branded generics,
5% were from unbranded generics, and 41% were from originator products as of September
2022. Generics also dominate new product launches (97%) over originators (3%) and
generics were preferred (88%) over originators (12%) in terms of doctors’ prescriptions.
(Pharmaceutical Division Progress Report, 2022).

Botika ng Bayan
▶ Currently there are 174 established Botika ng Bayan in the rural health units nationwide, and
22 Botika ng Bayani (BNB) established in Armed Forces of the Philippines Military Treatment
Facilities and Philippine National Police hospitals, pursuant to the AO No. 2019-0036
“Implementing Guidelines on the Establishment of FOURmula One Plus Botika ng Bayan and
Botika ng Bayani Program”. This issuance prompted the local government units and
healthcare facilities to avail of the program and establish BNB outlets in their areas.
▶ As of June 2022, a total of 174 rural health units secured their License-to-Operate from the
Food and Drug Administration and had been converted to legitimate BNB outlets.
▶ The BNB program also provided 64 pharmacists and pharmacy assistants to the fourth and
sixth class municipalities with established BNBs. In 2019, given the uncertainties on the
adequacy of the budget for the implementation of the program, a moratorium on the
facilitation of the establishment of new outlets was issued through DM No. 2019-0485
“Submission of 2020 Medicines Requirements for the FOURmula One Plus Botika ng Bayan
Program.” While the support for the provision of pharmacy assistants will continue until
2024.
▶ The DOH, through the Pharmaceutical Division, is currently working with Philhealth for the
possible accreditation of the existing BNBs as Philhealth GAMOT provider to sustain the
operations of the BNBs.

Supporting Priority Populations

▶ In order to address barriers to health access and promote health equity, it is necessary to
identify areas that lack adequate health services and remain underserved or unserved. In
pursuit of this goal, the DOH-BLHSD, issued AO No. 2020-0023, entitled “Guidelines on
Identifying Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and Strengthening
Their Health Systems.” This policy outlines the process for creating an annual list of GIDAs,
which serves as a basis for prioritizing assistance from national and local governments, as
well as other health partners.
▶ The most recent GIDA list was issued through DM No. 2022-0567. The CY 2023 GIDA list is
currently being prepared as per DM No. 2023-0029, entitled “Annual Updating of the GIDA
List.”

⮘ 21 ⮚
 V. GOVERNANCE AND HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM

Desired Outcome: Health systems are developed with good governance and
evidence-informed policies.
Below are the status of implementation of the UHC Act Chapter VIII. Governance and
Accountability:

Status of Implementation
Chapter VIII. Governance and Accountability

Devolution Transition Plan 2022-2024

▶ On March 24, 2022, the DBM approved the “Joint DOH-National Nutrition Council (NNC)
Devolution Transition Plan (DTP)”, making DOH the first agency to receive such approval.
The DTP serves as a roadmap for the transition of redevolved health functions and services
to local government units (LGUs) within a three-year period, with completion expected by
the end of CY 2024.

▶ The DTP outlines the assistance and capacity building that the DOH and NNC will provide
to LGUs to help them implement the health devolution. The devolution is expected to
empower LGUs to invest more in health and to fast-track the managerial, technical, and
financial integrations of their P/CWHS.

Leadership and Governance for Health

▶ The UHC Act mandates that the DOH provide support and technical assistance to enhance
the functionality of P/CWHS. In line with this, the DOH-BLHSD collaborated with the DOH
- Health Human Resources Development Bureau (HHRDB), DILG, and Local Government
Academy (LGA) to issue the DOH-DILG Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No. 2022-0001, or
the “Policy Framework on Leadership and Governance for Health (LeadGov4Health) Towards
a Functional Local Health Board (LHB).”
▶ LeadGov4Health aims to strengthen the processes and capacities of the LHBs and facilitate
the implementation of UHC reforms at the local level. The framework emphasizes four key
strategic processes: (1) harmonized planning and policy development, (2) effective and
efficient resource mobilization, (3) proactive community and stakeholder engagement, and
(4) performance accountability. One aspect of LeadGov4Health involves building the
capacity of local leaders. As part of these efforts, the DOH organized and participated in
various consultation meetings, such as the LGA Newly Elected Officials (NEO) Orientation
Course.
▶ To assist DOH representatives in providing technical assistance to LGUs, the DOH-BLHSD
developed the DOH Representative Assistant Application (DOHRep) and the Local Health
Systems (LHS) Toolkit. The DOHRep application provides easy access to policies and
guidelines relevant to the roles of DOH representatives. It also serves as a comprehensive
database for storing their profiles and ensures standardized reporting mechanisms.
Whereas, the LHS toolkit is a compendium of technical assistance algorithms based on the
most common health governance challenges encountered by the LGUs.

Seal of Good Local Governance

▶ One of the ten Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) governance areas is Health
Compliance and Responsiveness (HCR), which uses the LGU Health Scorecard (HSC) as its
primary source of data. To facilitate the national and regional validation of performance
results, the BLHSD-LGU HSC team took the lead in organizing a series of orientations and
consultation/feedback sessions with the CHD coordinators. In September 2022, the DOH
endorsed a total of 1,422 passers for the HCR assessment area, including 63 provinces, 32

⮘ 22 ⮚
 HUCs and ICCs, and 1,327 municipalities and component cities.

Organizational Development, Evaluation, and Research

▶ The DOH is undergoing a department-wide Organizational Development in preparation for
the DOH right-sizing. The diagnosis phase has been completed, and the DOH is now
proceeding with the change readiness assessment.
▶ The DOH, through the IDinsight Philippines, will conduct the UHC Household Survey as
mandated by the UHC Act to collect UHC-related data from the perspective of facilities,
health care workers, and households to measure and gain insights on how Filipinos and
facilities are experiencing the UHC implementation. The DOH Performance Monitoring and
Strategy Management Division (PMSMD) and IDInsight will rollout the UHC Household
Survey starting August 2023.
▶ Implementation of the Advancing Health through Evidence-Assisted Decisions - Health
Policy and Systems Research (AHEAD-HPSR) Program, with PhP 194.62 million allocated for
UHC-related researches.
▶ On the implementation of participatory action research (PAR) six regions have been trained
and developed their PAR projects in partnership with UP-Manila as of February 2023.
Pursuant to the issuance of AO No. 2021-0065 “Guidelines on the Implementation of
Participatory Action Research for Health Promotion and Social Mobilization Pursuant to
Republic Act No. 11223”, the DOH Local Scholarship Program also provides support for
Master of Arts in Health Policy Studies (Health Social Science) with specialized courses on
PAR in order to build cadres of PAR practitioners.

Health Information System and Health Technology Assessment

▶ Issuance of the following policies on the Integrated Health Information System (iHIS) and
National Health Data Standards (NHDS)
● DOH-PHIC JAO No. 2021-0001 on the Implementation and Maintenance of an iHIS
● DOH-PHIC JAO No. 2021-0002 on the Mandatory Adoption and Use of NHDS
▶ 91.31% (2,365 / 2,590) of primary care facilities had employed an electronic medical records
(EMR) system as of March 2023
▶ 65.52% (304 / 464) of public hospitals implemented the Integrated Hospital Operations and
Management Information System (iHOMIS) as of March 2023
▶ The DOH, PhilHealth, and PSA will be issuing guidelines on the integration of the
submission and access of publicly funded health, nutrition, and demographic-related
administrative and survey data through the National Health Data Repository, providing a
single point-of-submission and authoritative repository of the country’s health and
health-related data, and the Single Source of Truth (SSOT) for Health as the basis of health
policy and standards, decision-making, health program planning and implementation,
health systems strengthening, and performance monitoring and evaluation.
▶ Financing decisions of DOH and PhilHealth were guided by the recommendations of the
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Council, wherein a total of 98 assessments or
recommendations were submitted to the decision makers in since 2020 to February 2023.

Information Technology (IT) Enhancements in PhilHealth

▶ PhilHealth is currently in collaboration with the Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT) to improve a number of its services: (1) enhancement
of members’ online access to membership and contribution records, (2) integration of
PhilHealth’s services with the DICT’s eGov Super App, and (3) enhanced member portal
access, among others. All these initiatives are targeted for roll-out within the first semester
of 2023. PhilHealth has successfully integrated its membership verification (e.g. profile and
premium contribution) with the DICT’s eGov PH Super App through its single sign-on
system. The website has also been enhanced through the same eGov PH Super App. The
DICT’s eGov PH Super App was officially launched on June 2, 2023.

⮘ 23 ⮚
 VI. SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

Desired Outcome: The physical, social, political, and economic qualities that make up the
environment of the local population is promotive and protective of health.
Below are the status of implementation of the UHC Act Chapter VIII. Governance and
Accountability

Status of Implementation
Chapter VIII. Governance and Accountability

Health Impact Assessment

▶ Issuance of DOH-DILG JAO No. 2021-0001 "Guidelines for the Operationalization of the
Health Impact Assessment (HIA) Review Process for Development Projects"
▶ An orientation on the HIA Review Process has been conducted among 886 participants
from provincial, city, and municipal local health boards across UHC integration and
non-integration sites while a training of trainers were held last November 28 to December
9, 2022 across 66 individuals from DOH Offices, CHDs, and members of academic
institutions. This was done in partnership with the WHO Collaborating Center for
Environmental Health Impact Assessment in Australia that would facilitate and/or support
the planned nationwide rollout and launch of the aforementioned training program to
CHDs, LHBs and LGUs, other academic institutions, civil society organizations, other
national government agencies, and members of the private sectors.

Health Promotion
▶ Development of the following 8 Health Promotion Playbooks:
● Diet
● Physical Activity
● Environmental Health
● Immunization
● Substance Use
● Mental Health
● Sexual and Reproductive Health
● Violence and Injury Prevention
▶ Development of the Health Promotion Framework Strategy in P/CWHS through the
issuance AO No. 2021-0063 Health Promotion Framework Strategy 2030
▶ Healthy Communities
● Launch of Bantay Kontra Trans Fat as the Department’s initiative to ensure food
manufacturers’ compliance in eliminating industrially produced trans-fatty acids (TFA)
in the Philippine food supply, pursuant to DOH AO No. 2021-0039.
● 33 P/CWHS were provided with financial and technical assistance through the Health
Promotion Playbooks on seven (7) Priority Areas: (1) physical activity and diet, (2)
environmental health, (3) immunization, (4) substance abuse, (5) mental health, (6)
reproductive health, and (7) violence and injury prevention.
● Celebrated 33 health events including 11 major celebrations held in different regions by
our Centers for Health Development (CHDs). These major celebrations are for Drowning
Awareness Month, World Immunization Week, Road Safety Month, World No Tobacco
Day, No Smoking Month, Nutrition Month, among others.
● Issuance of two policies on tobacco prevention and control:
○ AO No. 2022-0046, entitled “Guidelines on Graphic Health Warnings (GHW) for
Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products and Novel Tobacco Products Pursuant
to RA Nos. 11900 or Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Regulation Act and 10643 or
GHW Law”

⮘ 24 ⮚
 ○ AO No. 2022-0047, entitled “First Set of GHW Templates for Vaporized Nicotine and
Non-Nicotine Products and Novel Tobacco Products pursuant to RA Nos. 11900 and
10643”
▶ Healthy Schools
● 273 last-mile elementary schools (LMES) were supported in their implementation of
Healthy Learning Institution (HLI) initiatives
● 18 workshops were conducted on the implementation of HLI programs and activities,
wherein 944 school personnel were trained
● Safe reopening of face to face classes
▶ Healthy Hospitals
● 54 hospitals are implementing the Healthy Hospitals program as of June 2023.
● HPB, in partnership with AHA! Behavioral Design and Consultancy, Inc., developed a
program entitled “Address the Stress,” consisting of a set of nudges for promoting the
mental health and well-being of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
● In 2022, the program focused on forming communities of practice revolving around the
utilization of mental health tools. Facebook support groups were created, consisting of
the Wellness Warriors, the Health Education and Promotion Officers (HEPOs), and
HCWs. These online groups provide a platform for members to share their experiences
in using the “Address the Stress” tools and adopting other self-care practices.
▶ Healthy Workplaces. Issuance of the DOH-DOLE-CSC Joint Administrative Order (JAO) No.
2023-0001, “National Policy Framework on the Promotion of Healthy Workplace,” which
provides the guidelines for the promotion, establishment, and strengthening of healthy
workplaces in support of the implementation of the UHC Act.
▶ Commissioned the National Health Promotion and Literacy Longitudinal Study which is
expected to provide baseline data and guidance for the health literacy strategy.

⮘ 25 ⮚
 UHC MONITORING AND EVALUATION RESULTS

This section provides the latest performance of the health sector relative to indicators representing health system goals and the key result
areas. At the start of the Duterte Administration, select indicators representing health goals and the building blocks of the health system were
committed. Of the ten (10) impact indicators only two (2) were met, which is average life expectancy as a result of the overall development of
the country and as well out-of-pocket expenditure, which however was driven by the increased government spending for health in response to
the pandemic. This also included loans for the procurement of vaccines.

HEALTH SYSTEM GOALS

No. Indicator Baseline Data 2022 Target End Term Accomplishment Status Remarks
Better Health Outcomes
71 73
1 Average life expectancy (in years) 72 Met
(2010-2015) (PSA, 2020-2025)
Maternal mortality ratio per 100,000 111 144 Estimates show that these
2 90 Unmet
live births (2015) (PSA-CRVS, 2020) deaths are taking place in rural
areas indicating the limited
Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live 23 22 access to quality health services.
3 15 Unmet (Source: Institute for Health
births (2013) (PSA-NDHS, 2022)
Metrics and Evaluation)
Interventions to address the
Premature mortality attributed to determinants of health and
cardiovascular diseases, cancer, 4.6 4.6 health behaviors needed to be
4 Decrease by 25% Unmet
diabetes, and chronic respiratory (2014) (PSA-CRVS, 2019) scaled-up. (Source: PMSMD
diseases per 100,000 population Analysis based on Institute for
Clinical Systems Improvement)
The number of people newly
diagnosed with TB had
decreased due to the COVID-19
Tuberculosis incidence per 100,000 554 650
5 427 Unmet pandemic, resulting in
population (2016) (WHO, 2021)
decreased notification and an
increase in the incidence rate.
(Source: DOH-DPCB)
Filipinos experiencing
Prevalence of stunting among 33.4% 26.7% involuntary hunger were
6 21.4% Unmet
under-five children (2015) (FNRI-ENNS, 2021) exacerbated by the pandemic.
(Source: UNICEF)

⮘ 26 ⮚
 No. Indicator Baseline Data 2022 Target End Term Accomplishment Status Remarks
Responsive Health Systems
85%
(public facilities)
7 Client satisfaction rate N/A N/A 97% N/A
(private facilities)
(2022)
93%
8 Provider responsiveness score N/A N/A N/A
(2019)
Financial Risk Protection
Mainly driven by the
government’s spending to
Out-of-pocket health spending as
52.4 41.5 support the COVID response
9 percentage of current health 50 Met
(2014) (PSA-PNHA, 2021) including loans (Source: NOH
expenditure
2017-2022 Performance
Assessment)
Percent of population who have spent 1% (Outpatient)
10 greater than 10 percent of their HH N/A N/A 30% (Inpatient) N/A
income on health (USAID-NHES, 2021)

SERVICE DELIVERY

No. Indicator Baseline Data 2022 Target End Term Accomplishment Status Remarks
Family Health
Modern contraceptive prevalence rate 24% 42%
1 30% Met
(all women) (2013) (PSA-NDHS, 2022)
Adolescent birth rate per 1,000 live 57 25
2 37 Met
births (2013) (PSA-NDHS, 2022)
The COVID pandemic remained
to be a challenge in meeting the
target. This is compounded by
77% 72%
3 Percent of fully immunized children 95% Unmet vaccine hesitancy.
(2013) (PSA-NDHS, 2022)
Completeness of the report
from the field is also a concern.
(Source: DOH-DPCB)
Incidence of low birth weight among 21%
4 15% 15% Met
newborns (2013)

⮘ 27 ⮚
 No. Indicator Baseline Data 2022 Target End Term Accomplishment Status Remarks
Non-Communicable Diseases
There is a need for
improvement in access to
pre-hospital and trauma care
for victims of road crashes and
Road traffic deaths per 100,000 10.9 8.0
5 7.9 Unmet further strengthening the
population (2016) (PSA-CRVS, 2020)
multi-sectoral approach for
Violence and Injury Prevention
Program. (Source: DOH-EB,
DOH-HPB)
23.9% 14.4%
6 Prevalence of raised blood pressure 18.1% Met
(2015) (FNRI-ENNS, 2021)
There is a need to strengthen
enforcement and
implementation of national
23.8% 19.5%
7 Prevalence of current tobacco use 18% Unmet laws and local policies on
(2015) (DOH-GATS, 2021)
tobacco control and to improve
access to tobacco cessation
services. (Source: DOH-HPB)
Treatment program completion rate 73% 94%
8 88% Met
for people who abuse drugs (2017) (DOH-DDAPTP, 2022)
Communicable Diseases
The disruption of TB service
delivery and decrease in case
finding activities were mainly
due to COVID-19 pandemic and
58% 43% quarantine restrictions,
9 Tuberculosis treatment coverage 90% Unmet
(2016) (WHO, 2021) resulting in inaccessibility to
treatment services and TB drug
procurement and supply chain
management issues. (Source:
DOH-DPCB)
Stigma (including self-stigma)
and discrimination hindered
Percentage of antiretroviral therapy 29% 65% access to HIV testing,
10 85% Unmet
(ART) coverage (2016) (DOH-HARP, 2022) treatment, and care services
which affected diagnosis
coverage. (Source: DOH-EB)
Percentage of provinces that are 40% 80% COVID-19 pandemic challenges
11 91% Unmet
malaria free (2016) (DOH-DPCB, 2022) such as mobility restrictions

⮘ 28 ⮚
 No. Indicator Baseline Data 2022 Target End Term Accomplishment Status Remarks
hindered the assessment of the
targeted provinces. (Source:
DOH-DPCB)
Zamboanga del Norte province
failed the Pre-Transmission
Assessment Survey (PTAS), an
Percentage of provinces that are 76% 96% important step to determine if
12 100% Unmet
filariasis-free (2016) (DOH-DPCB, 2022) infections have been reduced
and if the province will already
be filariasis-free. (Source:
DOH-DPCB)
Health Emergencies
Percent of disaster-affected area with 100% 100%
13 100% Met
no reported outbreaks (2017) (DOH-ESR, 2022)
Health Facilities
Percent of provinces with adequate 27% 23% Due to the closure and
14 60% Unmet
hospital bed to population ratio (2017) (DOH-HFDB, 2022) downgrading of some private
hospitals during COVID-19
Percent of provinces with adequate 12% 12%
15 30% Unmet pandemic, the increasing
RHU/Health center to population ratio (2018) (DOH-HFDB, 2022)
population, and the inequitable
programming of health
Percent of provinces with adequate 73% 73%
16 85% Unmet infrastructure support. (Source:
BHS to population ratio (2018) (DOH-HFDB, 2022)
DOH-HFDB)

HEALTH WORKFORCE

No. Indicator Baseline Data 2022 Target End Term Accomplishment Status Remarks
40%
Percent of provinces with adequate 31%
1 37% (DOH-HHRDB, 2022) Met
physician to population ratio (2016)

Percent of provinces with adequate 100% 96% Coping with the demands of
2 100% Unmet
nurse to population ratio (2016) (DOH-HHRDB, 2022) the surging population still
remains as a challenge
notwithstanding the DOH's
Percent of provinces with adequate 75% 72% endeavors to augment HRH in
3 80% Unmet priority areas through various
midwife to population ratio (2016) (DOH-HHRDB, 2022)
programs. Due to this, three
provinces (Bulacan,

⮘ 29 ⮚
 Marinduque, and Oriental
Mindoro) fell short of the
required standard
nurse-to-population ratio and
23 provinces faced the similar
case with midwives. (Source:
DOH-HHRDB)

HEALTH FINANCING

No. Indicator Baseline Data 2022 Target End Term Accomplishment Status Remarks
Domestic general government health 1.6% 2.8%
1 2.5% Met
expenditure as percentage of GDP (2016) (PSA-PNHA, 2021)
Domestic general government health PhP 2,096/person PhP 4,886/person
2 PhP 4,674/person Met
expenditure per capita (2016) (PSA-PNHA, 2021)
Out-of-pocket spendings are
largely driven by spending on
out-patient medicines and
Social health insurance as percentage 16% 13% services (such as consultations,
3 30% Unmet
of Total Health Expenditure (2016) (PSA-PNHA, 2021) laboratory, or diagnostic
exams) which have limited
PhilHealth service coverage.
(Source: DOH-HCF)
Government financing (national and
19% 34%
4 local) as percentage of Total Health 20% Met
(2016) (PSA-PNHA, 2021)
Expenditure
Inability of the recent provider
payment mechanisms to
effectively constrain what the
patients pay out-of-pocket
given the ineffective
Percentage of NBB-eligible patients 63% 83%
5 100% Unmet copayment mechanisms
with zero co-payment (2016) (PhilHealth, 2019)
available, especially when
patients are not indigents and
avail of health services in
private facilities. (Source:
DOH-HCF)

⮘ 30 ⮚
 HEALTH REGULATION

No. Indicator Baseline Data 2022 Target End Term Accomplishment Status Remarks
Percent of applications for permits,
86% 100%
1 licenses or accreditation processed 100% Met
(2018) (DOH-HFSRB, 2022)
within the citizen charter timeline
Percent of all newly registered
pharmaceutical products able to be 100% 100%
2 100% Met
subjected to post-marketing (2019) (DOH-FDA, 2021)
surveillance
Six provinces (Ilocos Norte,
100% Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Camiguin,
Percent of provinces and points of Point of Entry/Exit and Surigao Del Norte) lacked
entry/exit with Epidemiologic (DOH-BOQ, 2022) functional provincial ESUs
3 Surveillance Unit that can detect and N/A 100% Unmet mainly due to incomplete or
respond to public health emergencies 93% lack of submission of Means of
of international and national concern Provincial ESUs Verification during regional
(DOH-EB, 2022) ESU assessment. (Source:
DOH-EB)
0.68% 0.67%
4 Hospital-acquired infection rate <1% Met
(2016) (DOH-HFDB, 2022)
Less than 3x the Less than 2x the
Median consumer price ratio of 0.6 MPR
5 international international Met
selected essential medicines (DOH-PD, 2021)
Reference Price Reference Price
Percent of targeted health facilities,
establishments, services and products 90% 100%
6 96% Met
continuously compliant to licensing (2019) (DOH-HFSRB, 2022)
standards

GOVERNANCE AND HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM

No. Indicator Baseline Data 2022 Target End Term Accomplishment Status Remarks
Two provinces with no
concurrence [from the CHD
Percent of provinces/HUCs/ICCs with 62%
98% Directors] on the 2020-2022
1 approved Local Investment Plan for (2016) 100% Unmet
(DOH-BLHSD, 2022) LIPH (Eastern Samar and
Health (LIPH) 2014-2016 LIPH
Northern Samar). (Source:
DOH-BLHSD)

⮘ 31 ⮚
No. Indicator Baseline Data 2022 Target End Term Accomplishment Status Remarks
Percent of DOH units that are Ongoing application of DOH
3% 90%
2 PGS-certified (disaggregated by PGS 100% Unmet hospitals for PGS Certification
(2016) (DOH-HPDPB, 2022)
stage) (Source: DOH-PMSMD)
COVID-19 vaccines and
auxiliary commodities were
Percent of health facilities with no prioritized. There were also
72% 50%
3 stock out of essential drugs and 90% Unmet mobility restrictions due to the
(2018) (DOH-PMIS, 2022)
vaccines COVID-19 pandemic and
challenges in warehousing.
(Source: DOH-DPCB)
List for the total number of
Percent of new products/devices new products/devices/
4 funded by DOH that have undergone N/A 100% N/A N/A services financed by DOH and
HTA review PhilHealth (denominator) is not
available.
There are ICT infrastructure
concerns resulting from poor
internet access and
Percent of health facilities with
non-serviceable ICT
functional electronic medical records 6% 80%
5 100% Unmet equipment, lack of dedicated
(EMR) system that regularly submit (2016) (DOH-KMITS, 2019)
ICT personnel and lack of ICT
data
resources for EMR
implementation. (Source:
DOH-KMITS)

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

No. Indicator Baseline Data 2022 Target End Term Accomplishment Status Remarks

Proportion of households using safely 26% 98%

1 63% Met
managed drinking water services (2017) (PSA-APIS, 2020*)
Proportion of households using safely 6% 80%
2 53% Met
managed sanitation services (2017) (PSA-APIS, 2020*)

⮘ 32 ⮚
 WAYS FORWARD

Under the leadership of the new Secretary of Health, Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, the health sector
8-Point Action Agenda Strategy will provide the direction for the implementation of the UHC
Act towards achieving better health outcomes, stronger health systems, and access to all levels
of care. To ensure the efficient delivery of the strategy, the 8-Point Action Agenda Strategy was
also supplemented with a bedrock agenda on Humanistic Leadership and Good Governance
(see figure below).

Presented in the table below are the details of the Health Sector 8-Point Action Agenda, its
objectives and the indicative interventions.

No. Action Agenda Objective Interventions

1 Bawat Pilipino, Mainstream the primary ● Develop functional Healthcare Provider

ramdam ang health care approach, Network and Primary Care Provider
kalusugan ensuring that every Filipino Network
experiences and benefits ● Improve benefit packages, including
from comprehensive health comprehensive outpatient benefit
services without financial package
hardship ● Establish adequate number of primary
care facilities

2 Ligtas, dekalidad at Ensure access to ● Establish adequate number of specialty

mapagkalingang high-quality, safe, and centers
serbisyo people-centered health ● Risk-based health regulation
care services across the ● Improve program implementation for the
lifecourse following:
○ Maternal and child health
○ Immunization
○ Infectious Diseases: Tuber, HIV,
Dengue
○ Non-communicable diseases
● Strengthen supply chain and logistics
management for the availability of

⮘ 33 ⮚
No. Action Agenda Objective Interventions

commodity

3 Teknolohiya para sa Leverage digital health and ● Interoperable Electronic Medical Record
mabilis na serbisyo technology for efficient with efficient processing of payment
and accessible health claims
service delivery ● Strengthen the Health Information
Systems and eHealth services (e.g.
telemedicine)
● Create more public-private partnership
initiatives on digital health improvement
● Digitize administrative process and data
management

4 Handa sa Krisis Ensure a resilient health ● Advance the capacity for mass casualty
system prepared to ● Improve displacement and evacuation
effectively respond to logistics of all health facilities
health crises and health ● Establish green health facilities
emergencies ● Sustain the Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management for Health for all LGUs

5 Pag-iwas sa sakit Promote healthy settings ● Ensure health promotion and education,
and enhance Filipinos’ including benefit availment
health literacy ● Explore demand-generation activities
● Implement healthy settings approach

6 Ginhawa ng isip at Enhance Filipinos’ ● Ensure provision of mental health

damdamin well-being and ensure services
quality mental health ● Imbibe arts and culture in health
services

7 Kapakanan at Ensure a sufficient and ● Create adequate permanent positions for

karapatan ng health engaged health workforce Human Resources for Health
workers by providing fair ● Increase and standardize health workers’
compensation, healthy positions and competitive compensation,
working environments, and benefits and incentives
opportunities for career ● Ensure well-being of health workers and
development compliance with minimum work
environment standards
● Develop and implement career paths of
health workers across the public and
private sector, including local
government units
● Enable health workers to obtain
appropriate skills, knowledge and
attitudes through learning and in-service
staff development methods.

8 Proteksyon sa Strengthen systems and ● Strengthen epidemiology and

anumang structures to prevent, surveillance
pandemiya manage, and recover from ● Establish public health laboratory
disease outbreaks and network
potential pandemics ● Engage emerging and re-emerging
diseases experts
● Establish the following:
○ Infectious disease hospital wings in
every provincial hospital, with a
sufficient number of
physicians/residents specializing in
infectious diseases such as TB, HIV
and Dengue

⮘ 34 ⮚
 No. Action Agenda Objective Interventions

○ Additional regional level 3 biosafety

laboratories and well-distributed
genome centers
● Create more fellowships for specialty
programs on infectious diseases similar
to the PGH network with the regional
hospitals and specialty centers
● Draft streamlined and long-term national
health security plan

Programs, projects, and activities shall be aligned in support of the 8-Point Action Agenda and
the fulfillment of UHC Act mandates. In addition, health partners and stakeholders shall
support the DOH in transforming the health system through foresight and innovation that
accelerates the attainment of UHC in the Philippines. Furthermore, the following legislations
are endeavored to be passed in support of the UHC:
● Medical Reserve Corps to establish a pool of health workforce that can be called upon
during emergencies
● Magna Carta for BHWs to provide additional benefits, incentives, and protection for
BHWs
● Trans Fat Elimination to strengthen enforcement of the elimination of harmful Trans
Fatty Acids
● Health Facilities and Services Regulation Act to expand and strengthen the regulatory
power of the DOH over health facilities, in support of UHC Act implementation
● Drugs and Medicines Price Regulation Act to create a regulatory board for the price
regulation of drugs and medicines

The timeline of UHC Act implementation (as shown in the figure below) indicates that it began
with the managerial and technical integration of local health systems, spanning from 2020 to
2022. The next phase will be financial integration from 2023 to 2025, followed by the issuance
of an Executive Order on mandatory integration by 2026.

Regarding specific timelines, while the UHC IRR and 60 foundational policies have been
recently issued, there are still remaining policies, mainly related to financial integration, which
are yet to be released. Background studies for financial integration have been underway since
2022, and their resulting policies are targeted to be issued in 2023. Meanwhile, the Sulong UHC
program, which seeks to implement integrated UHC reforms in local health systems, will be
rolled out from 2023 to 2025. The DOH is also providing continuous support to the 71 UHC
integration sites in their journey towards attaining Level 3 maturity level.

Independent evaluation results of UHC integration sites should be available by 2026. Upon a
positive recommendation by the independent evaluation and the Secretary of Health, an
Executive Order mandating the integration of all local health systems will be issued in 2026 as
well.

⮘ 35 ⮚
 Prepared by:

Performance Monitoring and Strategy Management Division

Governance and Organizational Development Team

⮘ 36 ⮚