MANILA — Malacañang said the proposed increase in funding for the Medical Assistance for Indigents and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) aims to expand zero balance billing and improve access to healthcare services, particularly in local government unit (LGU) hospitals.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Department of Health (DOH) seeks to raise the MAIFIP budget to better support zero balance billing, including in hospitals not directly under the DOH.

“May mga ospital po dito na hindi po kaugnay ng DOH hospitals at nais pong palawakin pa ang serbisyo sa ating mga mamamayan sa pamamagitan po ng pagbibigay din po ng zero balance billing sa LGU hospitals,” Castro said.

She added that the funds will not pass through politicians, addressing concerns that the program could undermine human dignity.

When asked about the possibility of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vetoing the proposed increase, Castro said the issue does not involve political discretion.

“Didiretso po ito sa local government units, sa LGU hospitals, at ang magpapatupad din po nito ay DOH,” she said.

Under the proposed 2026 national budget, MAIFIP funding would rise from PHP24.23 billion to PHP51.6 billion. The Palace said the increase is intended to strengthen healthcare delivery and ensure indigent and financially incapacitated patients receive adequate medical assistance without financial burden. (PNA)