Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairman Junie E. Cua backed the creation of a coordinating council for the Universal Health Care (UHC) law, saying such a body would help ensure the law is being implemented properly.
“The coordinating council will be helpful in assessing the UHC law’s effectiveness, which gaps need to be addressed, and which strengths can be replicated,” Cua said.
Department of Health Sec. Teodoro Herbosa recently said that Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., approved the creation of the council, which will serve as a governing body that will oversee the implementation of the UHC law, the estimated total of the national cost for the UHC, and the implementation of UHC at the local government level.
“Amid the various barriers that have been identified in the implementation of the UHC, the council could provide a strategy that ensures the system is working well,” he added.
Department of Health Sec. Teodoro Herbosa recently said that Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., approved the creation of the council, which will serve as a governing body that will oversee the implementation of the UHC law, the estimated total of the national cost for the UHC, and the implementation of UHC at the local government level.
The DOH will chair the council with the Department of the Interior and Local Government as its co-chair.
The council would also include the following agencies: Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Philippine Regulation Commission, National Economic and Development Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education.
Cua underlined the importance of closely coordinating with local government units as they integrate their healthcare systems.
“Mahalaga ang constant communication and close coordination sa pagitan ng national government at LGU. What we want is to achieve the right balance between standardized policies and the individual context of each LGU,” Cua, a former governor and congressman of Quirino Province, said.
For the PCSO’s part, Cua meanwhile vowed that they would strive to gain more revenue to increase its contribution to UHC funds.
“Our rallying cry is to continue to strive for more revenue so we can help more Filipinos through our contribution to the UHC,” he said.
The agency is mandated to allocate 40 percent of its charity fund to help subsidize UHC.
The PCSO turned over PHP471.5 million to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. last month for its contribution for the third quarter of 2023.
