Manila: The Philippines has secured a USD600-million (around PHP36.95 billion) grant from the United States to expand access to quality healthcare and boost resilience against public health threats. Under the newly signed Strategic Objective Agreement (SOAG) for Integrated and Sustainable Health Systems in the Philippines, the Department of Health will use the funding to upgrade medical delivery, bolster defenses against outbreak threats, and strengthen national health security, the Department of Finance (DOF) said in a statement Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, beyond immediate outbreak response, the DOF said the bilateral agreement also focuses on integrating medical services across existing disease programs and boosting the capacity to finance and manage its health sector. The initiative will also support priority health programs addressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis (TB), neglected tropical diseases, and maternal, newborn, and child health.

On July 22 under the SOAG, the US and the Philippines also signed a grant of PHP11.8 billion (USD193 million) to support a five-year joint program to detect, treat, and prevent HIV and TB. Grants are assistance given by development partners with no obligation for repayment, allowing the government to invest in priority programs such as its healthcare system.

'Investing in healthcare is investing in our people, our productivity, and our future. Through this grant, we are strengthening the country's ability to respond to health emergencies while building a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system that benefits our people,' Finance Secretary Frederick Go said. The DOF said the grant assistance reinforces the Marcos administration's commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare and strengthening the country's long-term resilience against public health threats.