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Advocates Philippines
Building A Stronger Healthcare Future: President Marcos Backs New DOH Program To Boost Emergency Preparedness
Photo credit: PCO
In a move to strengthen the country’s healthcare system, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has given the green light to the Department of Health's (DOH) ambitious “Philippines: Health System Resilience Project, Phase 1.” The newly approved program is set to boost the nation's health emergency prevention, preparedness, and response, especially in areas that need it most.
During the NEDA Board Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, President Marcos expressed his support for the project, emphasizing its value as a crucial step forward. "Maganda ito kasi specific to the Philippines. It’s not a general … (it is) specific even to the area,” he said, highlighting how the program is tailored to meet the unique needs of different regions across the country.
The President was quick to point out how the initiative reflects hard-learned lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing on specific gaps in the healthcare system that were revealed during the crisis, the project aims to build a more resilient healthcare network—one that can better withstand future health emergencies.
The program is no small undertaking. With a budget of PhP27.921 billion, it’s a significant investment in the country's healthcare future. The DOH has already earmarked 17 provinces for its initial rollout, prioritizing regions where access to healthcare remains a challenge. The idea is to target the country’s most vulnerable areas, ensuring that even those in remote or underserved communities receive the support they need.
More than just a reactionary measure, this initiative is a proactive step towards achieving the goals laid out in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. It’s not just about responding to emergencies when they arise, but creating a healthcare system that’s strong, adaptive, and ready to face whatever comes next.
The program will also emphasize building an enabling environment for healthcare resilience. This includes project management, monitoring and evaluation efforts, as well as the establishment of a Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC) to provide rapid support when needed.
With this new project, the Marcos administration is setting the stage for a more robust healthcare system that isn’t just built to survive—but to thrive.
During the NEDA Board Meeting at the Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, President Marcos expressed his support for the project, emphasizing its value as a crucial step forward. "Maganda ito kasi specific to the Philippines. It’s not a general … (it is) specific even to the area,” he said, highlighting how the program is tailored to meet the unique needs of different regions across the country.
The President was quick to point out how the initiative reflects hard-learned lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing on specific gaps in the healthcare system that were revealed during the crisis, the project aims to build a more resilient healthcare network—one that can better withstand future health emergencies.
The program is no small undertaking. With a budget of PhP27.921 billion, it’s a significant investment in the country's healthcare future. The DOH has already earmarked 17 provinces for its initial rollout, prioritizing regions where access to healthcare remains a challenge. The idea is to target the country’s most vulnerable areas, ensuring that even those in remote or underserved communities receive the support they need.
More than just a reactionary measure, this initiative is a proactive step towards achieving the goals laid out in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. It’s not just about responding to emergencies when they arise, but creating a healthcare system that’s strong, adaptive, and ready to face whatever comes next.
The program will also emphasize building an enabling environment for healthcare resilience. This includes project management, monitoring and evaluation efforts, as well as the establishment of a Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC) to provide rapid support when needed.
With this new project, the Marcos administration is setting the stage for a more robust healthcare system that isn’t just built to survive—but to thrive.
Oct 17, 2024
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