Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has mandated the rapid delivery of medical aid to the poor and middle class, as announced by Malaca±ang on Friday. In response to this directive, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa convened on Thursday to deliberate strategies for enhancing the implementation of the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program (MAIFIP).

According to Philippines News Agency, the meeting addressed concerns such as long queues, repetitive requirements, and excessive paperwork hindering access to medical assistance. Recto emphasized the government's intention to leverage technology to facilitate 'faster, more transparent, and more humane' public service. He conveyed President Marcos's directive that governmental aid should be delivered swiftly and efficiently, without imposing undue hardship on the populace.

Recto highlighted that digital platforms could significantly improve healthcare service efficiency for Filipinos requiring medical assistance. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the MAIFIP program extends its benefits to both the poor and middle-class families, stating that true service is measured by access. He added that bureaucratic obstacles should not prevent people from experiencing the benefits of available funds.

MAIFIP aims to support Filipinos unable to afford hospital bills, medications, diagnostic tests, and other health-related expenses. Funding for the program has risen from PHP41.16 billion to PHP51.6 billion under the 2026 General Appropriations Act. In February, the Department of Health introduced new guidelines to broaden the program's benefit coverage, including ambulatory care, ambulatory surgical clinics, eye centers, ophthalmology services, dental services, free-standing dialysis clinics, and FDA-approved medicines. The updated policy also ensures the full inclusion of doctors' professional fees in accordance with DOH guidelines.