Marcos to issue EO creating UHC body

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos is set to issue an executive order creating an inter-agency body that will strengthen the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act to include monitoring of health spending of local government units (LGUs).

In a press briefing at Malacañang, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said Marcos has approved the proposal to establish the UHC Coordinating Council (UHCCC), which will keep track of the spending of the special health fund by LGUs.

“We created the council to watch the spending of the money on the special health fund and the implementation would be standard for all LGUs,” Herbosa added.

Under Republic Act 11223 or the UHC Act, the province-wide or citywide health system shall pool and manage, through a special health fund, all resources intended for health services to finance population-based and individual-based health services, health system operating costs, capital investments and remuneration of additional health workers and incentives for all health workers.

The Department of Health will serve as chair of the UHCCC while the Department of the Interior and Local Government will be co-chair.

The following will serve as members: the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Professional Regulation Commission and National Economic and Development Authority.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education and Department of Education are also likely to be part of the body, according to Herbosa.