MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday called on the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that the new administrative order it is drafting on medical assistance will deliver clarity and not confusion, as it implements reforms mandated under the 2026 national budget.

Hontiveros said the revised guidelines on the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Persons (MAIFIP) should not only eliminate patronage politics but also clearly spell out the process and requirements for receiving financial aid.

The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, stressed that the revisions must ultimately make it easier for patients to access assistance.

“Klaro ang naging desisyon namin sa Senado at House: Hindi na dapat mag-door-to-door pa sa mga opisina ng pulitiko para manlimos ng guarantee letters para lang makapagpagamot,” Hontiveros said.

She added, “Kaya inaasahan ko na klaro din sa DOH na ang bagong guidelines na ilalabas nila tungkol sa MAIFIP ay dapat magpadali sa pagkuha ng tulong at hindi lalong magpahirap sa mga pasyente at kanilang pamilya.”

Hontiveros said reforms introduced under the 2026 budget, including the “anti-epal” provision pushed by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, should be sustained beyond the current fiscal year.

To support this, she said she is prepared to begin the period of interpellations on Senate Bill No. 1593, or the proposed Universal Health Care Medical Assistance Program (UHC MAP), which seeks to directly provide financial assistance to hospitals and patients.

“Kapag naipasa ang batas na ito, klaro na hindi na kailangan pang manghingi ang mga pasyente ng GL sa mga pulitiko. Mag-a-apply na lang sila sa mga medical social workers sa ospital at mabibigyan sila ng tulong sa loob ng 72 hours,” Hontiveros said.

“Tuldukan na natin ang panlilimos para sa GL. Ang tulong na kailangan ng ating mga kababayan para sa pagpapagamot ay dapat ibigay diretso sa kanila,” she added. “Lahat ng nangangailangan, dapat mabigyan ng tulong. Walang kapalit. Walang kondisyon. Walang palakasan.”