The Department of Finance (DOF) facilitated up to US$600 million (approximately PHP 36.95 billion) grant from the United States under the Strategic Objective Agreement (SOAG) for Integrated and Sustainable Health Systems in the Philippines to support the country’s health sector by expanding access to quality healthcare and strengthening the country’s resilience against public health threats.

Proposed to be implemented by the Department of Health (DOH), the grant will build an integrated, sustainable, resilient, and self-reliant health system by strengthening health security, improving healthcare delivery, and enhancing the country’s capacity to respond to infectious disease threats.

It will also advance strategic bilateral cooperation on global health security and other priority health programs.

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 D. Go said.

This grant assistance reinforces the Marcos Jr. administration’s commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare and strengthening the country’s long-term resilience against public health threats.

Under the SOAG, the Philippines and the United States will work together to achieve three key results that will reinforce the country’s health system: strengthened disease surveillance, detection, and outbreak response; integrated health service delivery across disease programs; and strengthened domestic capacity to finance and manage the health sector.

The initiative will also support priority health programs addressing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), tuberculosis (TB), neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH).

Built on more than six decades of health cooperation between the Philippines and the United States, the SOAG reflects the shared commitment of both governments to strengthen public health systems, improve preparedness against emerging and existing infectious disease, and promote sustainable economic growth through healthier communities.