Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has announced the expansion of healthcare services in the Philippines, emphasizing the establishment of community health facilities and the enhancement of health benefit packages for various life-threatening illnesses. In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos highlighted the establishment of 53 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Centers across 32 provinces, aiming to improve healthcare accessibility nationwide.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Health reported that over a million Filipinos have received medical services through BUCAS centers from March 2024 to March 2025. These centers provide essential outpatient health services such as CT scans, ultrasounds, X-rays, and laboratory tests. President Marcos assured that more BUCAS centers would be opened soon to further enhance healthcare access.
In a significant milestone, Marcos announced that for the first time, every town in the Philippines now has a doctor, ensuring that each community has someone responsible for safeguarding public health. Additionally, the newly-launched YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program Para Malayo sa Sakit) Caravan aims to provide free medical check-ups, laboratory tests, and medicines to Filipinos.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has also launched YAKAP, an enhanced version of the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama or Konsulta Program. This comprehensive primary care package includes additional drugs, laboratory tests, and cancer screenings at accredited facilities nationwide, prioritizing early detection and preventive care.
President Marcos also emphasized the acceleration of the vaccination program for children, directing the Department of Health to meet the country's vaccination targets promptly. Improved health benefit packages have been introduced, including full coverage for major heart conditions and expanded assistance for cancer treatment through the Cancer Assistance Fund.
In addition, funding has been allocated for vaccines against the human papillomavirus (HPV), with an additional PHP1.7 billion earmarked for essential medications for cancer cases not covered by existing PhilHealth packages. Dialysis patients will benefit from free sessions, and the benefit ceiling for kidney transplants has been significantly increased.
Other enhancements include increased coverage for severe dengue treatments, cataract surgeries, and a range of outpatient services under PhilHealth. President Marcos assured that the reimbursement process for healthcare facilities is being expedited to ensure uninterrupted care for patients.
Since the beginning of the Marcos administration, over 11.5 million Filipinos have received aid through these expanded health initiatives. To further streamline access, the medical assistance process will soon be integrated into the government's eGov mobile application, enhancing efficiency and accessibility.
