Health secures investment priority in 2026 Philippine budget
Health takes the spotlight in the Philippines’ investment priorities as the government moves to allocate a significant share of the proposed 2026 national budget to key sectors, including health, education and agriculture.
The Philippine government has set the 2026 national budget at Php 6.793 trillion, with health receiving increased funding, citing the growing public needs. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said priority allocations to these sectors are critical to long-term national growth.
Under the proposed budget, funding for the health sector was raised to Php 447.6 billion. This includes a Php 129.78-billion allocation for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp (Philhealth), a tax-exempt government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC).
Gatchalian also said additional funding was provided for the Zero Balance Billing program in Department of Health hospitals, as well as for specialty hospitals.
The Senate has approved the 2026 national budget, clearing it for transmittal to Malacañang for the signature of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Source: PNA
Category: Community
