The government is raising funding for government hospitals and cancer care in 2027 as it moves to expand healthcare access and reduce the financial burden on patients.

The proposed budget allocates PHP107.29 billion for 72 Department of Health (DOH) regional hospitals and other health facilities, PHP1.30 billion higher than its 2026 allocation.

The increase will largely go to Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), giving hospitals more room to provide essential medicines and basic services, address operating gaps, and strengthen tertiary care.

The funding will also support the administration’s Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) program, which seeks to shield eligible patients from paying for covered hospital services out of pocket.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the spending should translate into better healthcare for Filipinos.

“Our national budget serves as our moral and economic compass. It must always point toward making life better for our people,” Marcos said in his 2027 budget message to Congress.

“This reflects our unwavering commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous nation… It is a strategic investment in the Filipino people and in our country’s future,” he added.

Acting Budget Secretary Kim Robert De Leon said the increased funding would allow more Filipinos to access quality healthcare without having to travel far for treatment.

“This means more Filipinos can access quality healthcare closer to home, while those requiring highly specialized treatment continue to receive world-class care in our major public hospitals,” De Leon said.

The administration is also putting more money into direct financial protection for patients.

The proposed budget sets aside PHP74.45 billion for PhilHealth, with beneficiaries targeted to increase to about 11.09 million in 2027 from 10.65 million this year, alongside expanded benefit packages and continued ZBB implementation.

The DBM recently approved the release of PHP10.377 billion to augment the ZBB funding earlier this month, including PHP9.377 billion for DOH hospitals nationwide.

Cancer patients are also in line for a significantly larger government subsidy, with the proposed Cancer Assistance Fund set to receive PHP3.75 billion, up 150 percent from the PHP1.50 billion appropriated for 2026.

The fund is expected to provide up to PHP150,000 each to 25,000 cancer patients through 36 designated cancer care access sites nationwide.

“Available to 36 designated cancer care access sites in DOH-retained and [local government unit]-operated hospitals nationwide, this funding will expand access to timely diagnosis and life-saving treatment for patients battling the country’s deadliest cancers, including breast, lung, colorectal, and liver cancer,” Marcos said.

The government is also proposing PHP25.39 billion for the National Health Workforce Support System, up from PHP23.36 billion under the 2026 GAA, to strengthen the deployment of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.

For Metro Manila, the 14 DOH hospitals will receive a proposed PHP28.19 billion in 2027. (PNA)