MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the faster delivery of government medical assistance to both poor and middle-class Filipinos, Malacañang said.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa met on Thursday to discuss reforms in the implementation of the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program (MAIFIP), following the President’s instruction.

The meeting tackled concerns raised in the program’s rollout, including long queues, repeated documentary requirements, and excessive paperwork that delay access to medical aid.

Recto said the government is looking to expand the use of digital systems to make public service delivery more efficient and transparent.

“Bilin ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na kung may tulong ang gobyerno, dapat makarating ito nang mabilis, maayos, at hindi pahirapan ang mga tao (President Bongbong Marcos has instructed that if the government provides assistance, it should reach the people quickly, efficiently, and without making things difficult for them),” he said.

He added that improving digital platforms would help streamline access to healthcare assistance, especially for those in need.

“Ang access ang sukatan ng tunay na serbisyo. Dahil kung ang proseso mismo ang nagiging hadlang, kahit may pondo, hindi rin ito mararamdaman ng tao (Access is the true measure of service. If the process itself becomes the obstacle, then even if funds are available, people still will not truly feel the benefits),” Recto said.

The MAIFIP program provides financial support for Filipinos unable to pay for hospital bills, medicines, diagnostic tests, and other medical expenses.

Malacañang said funding for the program increased from PHP41.16 billion to PHP51.6 billion under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

In February, the Department of Health issued updated guidelines expanding coverage to include ambulatory care, ambulatory surgical clinics, eye and dental services, free-standing dialysis clinics, and FDA-approved medicines.

The new policy also covers the full inclusion of doctors’ professional fees in accordance with DOH rules.