“Simple lang naman yung Universal Health Care. Basta’t mamamayang Pilipino ay kailangan suportado ang kanilang pagbili ng gamot, ang kanilang pagpapatingin sa doktor, ang mga ospital – ang pang-ospital nila, ang treatment nila, kailangan nating bigyan ng tulong,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to making healthcare accessible to all Filipinos.
Under President Marcos Jr., the government continues to push forward one of its most significant health initiatives—the Universal Health Care (UHC) Insurance Program, particularly the Konsultasyong Sulit at Tama (Konsulta) program. This initiative seeks to provide equitable access and affordable healthcare to all Filipinos, reducing financial burdens while promoting preventive care.
The Universal Health Care Act, or Republic Act 11223, was signed into law on February 20, 2019. It laid the foundation for Konsulta, PhilHealth’s comprehensive outpatient benefits package. Konsulta was officially launched in 2020, to shift the healthcare system from a reactive, hospital-based approach to a proactive, preventive model. However, when President Marcos Jr. assumed office on June 30, 2022, several areas still needed reinforcement, including financial sustainability, provider accreditation, and public awareness.
Recognizing these concerns, the Marcos Jr. administration prioritized reinforcing UHC by increasing funding, expanding service coverage, and improving efficiency. Under his leadership, Konsulta has been integrated into the government’s long-term health agenda, ensuring continued access to free consultations, health-risk screenings, essential laboratory tests, and prescribed medications.
President Marcos Jr. has consistently emphasized his administration’s commitment to providing quality and accessible healthcare for all Filipinos. During the turnover ceremony of the Bagong Pilipinas mobile clinics on September 20, 2024, he stated, “Ang kalusugan ay karapatan, hindi isang pribilehiyo. At sa bawat pag-usad ng mobile clinic, tinitiyak natin na dama ito ng bawat Pilipino.”
The Ripples of Healthcare Access and Services
Since 2022, the Konsulta program has expanded significantly under the Marcos Jr. administration. Recent advancements include the accreditation of more healthcare providers and the establishment of 15 new UHC-Integration Sites (UHC-IS) in key locations like Lapu-Lapu City, Pasig City, Mandaluyong City, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Davao Occidental, and other places. These sites are set to receive financial and technical support to streamline local healthcare systems, ensuring that primary healthcare services are accessible to all.
In addition, PhilHealth has introduced policy enhancements to facilitate patient registration, simplify provider accreditation, and increase funding for Konsulta services. As a result, the number of Filipinos accessing Konsulta services has grown.
The administration has also prioritized enhancing primary healthcare services by incorporating telemedicine, increasing the supply of essential medicines, and upgrading rural health units to ensure that even the most remote communities benefit from government-supported healthcare.
Progress and Implementation Status
Since its inception, Konsulta has made steady progress, with government efforts focusing on maximizing efficiency and accessibility. Under the Marcos Jr. administration, the program has reached more than half of its target completion, with continuous improvements being made. The administration is working to ensure that full implementation is achieved by 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s healthcare transformation.
The government has also committed to increasing the budget of Konsulta, allowing PhilHealth members to avail themselves of enhanced primary care benefits. The recent increase in the budget per patient from P500 to P1,700 demonstrates the administration’s dedication to improving healthcare quality.
In his second State of the Nation Address on July 24, 2023, President Marcos highlighted the progress in healthcare services, noting that over 93 percent of Filipinos are now members of PhilHealth. He emphasized the goal of universal healthcare access, saying, “Palapit na tayo nang palapit sa ating hangarin na ang lahat ng mga Pilipino ay makakakuha ng serbisyong-pangkalusugan.”
Testimonials from Beneficiaries
Konsulta has helped many Filipinos and the wellspring of appreciation can be found from those who have benefited from it.
Meliza Labajo, a resident of Talisay City, Cebu, shared her experience: “Unexpected kay naa’y free nga tambal sad. Wala ko’y nabayran.” (It was unexpected because my medicines were also free. I did not pay for anything.)
As an indigent, she is thankful that there is a government program that can help her seek medical services for free.
“Nagpasalamat ko’g dako kay naa’y ingon ani nga programa nga nahimo. Unta magpa-member sad sila kay nindot siya nga pamaagi. (I am very thankful that there is a program like this. I hope other indigents can also register for this program and avail of the benefits),” she added.
Similarly, Roderick Menor, a barangay official in Ilocos, praised the expansion of Konsulta’s benefits: “Matagal na akong PhilHealth member at napakaganda na na-upgrade ang mga benepisyo.”
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Konsulta by 2025
The Marcos Jr. administration remains committed to further strengthening the Konsulta program, ensuring its full implementation and expanding its services. By 2025, Konsulta is expected to include additional healthcare benefits such as dental care, rehabilitative services, mental-health support and expanded diagnostic tests
Additionally, PhilHealth is working on digitizing healthcare records to streamline patient history tracking and reduce redundancy in medical assessments. The government also aims to launch a nationwide health database, facilitating seamless medical record transfers between hospitals and clinics. This will help the government to track the health records of every Filipino.
Furthermore, investments in healthcare infrastructure, including upgrading local health centers and expanding the Konsulta provider network, remain a top priority.
The Marcos Jr. Vision for Universal Healthcare
More good news is in the offing. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision for universal healthcare extends beyond Konsulta. His administration is focusing on reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs, improving hospital facilities, and ensuring the availability of essential medicines nationwide. President Marcos Jr. has also urged lawmakers to enhance healthcare funding mechanisms, ensuring that the UHC law remains sustainable in the long run.
Moreover, the PhilHealth has been instructed to conduct quarterly evaluations of Konsulta’s implementation, allowing for timely adjustments and service improvements. The goal is to achieve universal registration for Konsulta and other UHC programs by 2025, ensuring that every Filipino is covered by government healthcare initiatives.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s dedication to strengthening the Universal Health Care Insurance Program through the Konsulta initiative marks a transformative step in Philippine healthcare. By increasing the funds, expanding services, and improving the policies, the government is ensuring that millions of Filipinos benefit from a more inclusive, preventive, and financially sustainable healthcare model. One of the foundations of a solid nation is the good health of its people, and Konsulta is doing its share to make this foundation strong. #
As Konsulta continues to evolve, its impact will extend beyond immediate healthcare needs—reshaping the way Filipinos access and experience primary healthcare for generations to come.
