Japan approves US$187.82 mn loan for Philippine health care programs
The Philippines has secured a US$187.82 million (approximately PHP11.53 billion) loan from Japan to strengthen the implementation of its Universal Health Care (UHC) program, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced.
The Philippines and Japan recently signed the diplomatic notes for the Build Universal Health Care Program Subprogram 3-Emergency Support (BUHC3), marking the latest phase of their health sector cooperation.
Japanese Ambassador ENDO Kazuya and DFA Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro signed the Exchange of Notes for the Build Universal Health Care Program (Emergency Support) on 4 August 2026, formalizing a loan agreement worth up to 30 billion yen (approximately US$187.82 million or PHP11.53 billion).
The loan will finance reforms in sustainable healthcare financing, strategic purchasing, integrated delivery of quality health services, and improved information management and performance accountability under the UHC program. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will co-finance and implement the project.
The DFA said BUHC3 is expected to expand equitable access to quality health services while addressing gender-specific health needs and the health impacts of climate change.
BUHC3 builds on earlier phases of the program. Subprogram 1 ran from January 2019 to May 2021 with ADB support, while Subprogram 2 was implemented from July 2021 to September 2023 through co-financing from the ADB, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and JICA.
Category: Education
