00:00Government's zero-balance billing policy, an over 40% increase in the number of UHC-integrated sites since the get-go,
00:07and the third-highest proposed allocation of P320 billion pesos in the 2026 national budget,
00:12are ample proof of improved healthcare ranking high in government's working agenda.
00:18Bullet points he touted in today's kick-off of the first-ever National Healthcare Summit,
00:22which our Merivale Pustodio covered in this report.
00:25The Department of Health is spearheaded the first-ever National Universal Healthcare Summit earlier today.
00:34Today, as we convene in this first National UHC Summit,
00:41we gather to rekindle the promise that in this nation,
00:47health should never again be a privilege for the rich and the fortunate,
00:51but a birthright and guaranteed to every Filipino.
00:56In 2005, the World Health Assembly adopted Resolution WHA-5333 Transition,
01:03which aimed or sought to advance universal health coverage,
01:06anchored on sustainable financing and risk protection.
01:09The Department of Health, Asian Development Bank, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines,
01:14and Philippine Business for Social Progress led to this kick-off of the National Universal Healthcare Summit.
01:21Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa highlighted a zero-balance billing policy in all DOH hospitals,
01:27from the initial 58 UHC integration sites when the universal healthcare law was implemented,
01:33to over 100 under the Department's expanded push.
01:36According to Health Secretary, health program remained a priority of the government.
01:41The DOH and PhilHealth ranked third, with the highest allocation under the proposed 2026 budget,
01:47with P320.5 billion pesos.
01:50The type of healthcare is also dependent on the type of healthcare your government gives you.
02:02Daming tumatawag sa akin kasi daw may preventive suspension ako.
02:06Wala naman ako natatanggap, preventive suspension.
02:10Anyways.
02:10Earlier, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro denied rumors DOH Secretary Herbosa
02:17was under preventive suspension on complaints of his allegedly unauthorized release
02:22of the 44.6 million pesos worth of psychiatric drugs to the Rotary Club of Quezon City,
02:28and the Commission on Audits report on over 1 billion pesos in unliquidated cash advance to UNICEF.
02:34Vel Custodio for the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
