Manila: Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa on Wednesday assured senators that the Department of Health (DOH) is mobilizing its quick response fund (QRF) and tapping Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) coverage to assist victims of the powerful earthquake that struck Cebu Tuesday night.

According to Philippines News Agency, during the Senate Committee on Finance’s deliberation of the DOH’s proposed 2026 budget, Herbosa revealed that at least PHP166 million remains in the agency’s QRF. These funds are earmarked for immediate needs such as medicines, surgical supplies, and the repair of damaged health facilities in Cebu and Masbate. The Health Emergency Management Bureau has a quick-release fund used specifically for emergencies like this, as noted by Herbosa. He also mentioned that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had previously directed emergency purchases of equipment for typhoon-hit hospitals in Masbate earlier this week.

Herbosa further explained that PhilHealth has been instructed to implement a ‘no-balance billing’ policy for quake victims. This policy, similar to the one enacted during Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), aims to ensure that patients can receive treatment in private hospitals without incurring out-of-pocket costs. The DOH is also prepared to assume control of local health facilities if necessary and plans to deploy psychosocial teams from the National Center for Mental Health to support survivors.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who brought up the issue during the hearing, expressed approval of the assurance provided by Herbosa. She emphasized the importance of both immediate and medium-term support for the communities affected by the earthquake.