The Philippine Government, through Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, has signed a JPY119.745-billion (around PHP48 billion) financing agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) that will unlock funding support for reforms to strengthen the country’s universal health care system and expand access to quality and responsive health services.

The financing will support the Build Universal Health Care Program – Subprogram 3 (BUHC3), which focuses on strengthening health financing, improving the delivery of health services, and enhancing information management and accountability across the health system.

“By signing this agreement, we are making a long-term investment in the country’s human capital and resilience. With the support of our development partners, we can advance reforms that will build a stronger, more responsive health system, and better equip it to serve Filipinos,” Secretary Frederick D. Go said.

The program will support reforms in three key areas: sustainable financing and strategic purchasing for universal health care; integrated delivery of quality health services; and information management and performance accountability.

It will also support reforms that address gender-specific health concerns and the health impacts of climate change, helping make the health system more responsive and resilient to emerging needs.

Building on the gains of the first two subprograms, BUHC3 adopts a programmatic approach to support the systematic implementation of health policy reforms at both the national and local levels.

The program is being implemented by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).