LGUs push free health care amid nat’l funding gaps

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) gives its full support to Local Government Units (LGUs) that are actively providing free medical services to their residents.

In a statement released on August 23, the DILG said these programs directly improve healthcare access for Filipinos in their communities.

“Health should not be a privilege but a right of every citizen. Every step that makes healthcare more accessible is an investment in the dignity and resilience of our communities,” the statement read.

These projects also mirror President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda, which underscores stronger delivery of public services.

DILG added that it would continue backing LGUs that sustain or expand similar programs, noting that barangays and city halls often respond fastest to health needs.

“The DILG fully supports LGUs that put the health of their people first, because these efforts save lives, ease the burden on families, and help build a stronger nation,” it added.

This push for local action comes after Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman admitted in a House budget briefing that the government still cannot fund health, education, and social protection at levels set by international benchmarks.

For health, only one percent of gross domestic product is earmarked under the 2026 National Expenditure Program, far below the World Health Organization’s five percent recommendation.

Pangandaman explained that agencies had submitted proposals amounting to over 10 trillion pesos, but fiscal limits forced the Development Budget Coordination Committee to trim the national budget to 6.793 trillion pesos.

“Hindi po natin kaya pondohan lahat po itong mga standards na ibinibigay ng mga international at development partners,” she said. 

Still, the proposed 2026 budget increases health allocations to 320.5 billion pesos, a 23.6 percent hike compared to last year, according to the Department of Budget and Management.

LGU-led health programs now complement national implementation and fill service gaps at the grassroots despite budget cuts.