00:00The government continues to strengthen free health care services in the country,
00:05alongside the increase in funding for indigent patients and the expansion of PhilHealth coverage
00:09towards true universal health care.
00:12Denise Osorio has the full story.
00:16Enhanced health care accessibility that focuses on both public hospitals and community-level support
00:22is in the crosshairs of the government.
00:24At the Health Economics and Finance Program Forum of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies today,
00:29health leaders highlighted concrete improvements and the steps underway to make universal health care a reality for all Filipinos.
00:37Philippine General Hospital Director Dr. Gerardo Legazpi emphasized programs that directly benefit citizens
00:42by making public health care more affordable and inclusive.
00:46Sa ngayon, ang ating programa sa mga hospital, I'm talking about the government hospitals,
00:52is zero balance billing.
00:53I'm sabihin, pag pumasa ka sa pangpublikong paggamutan, lalo na yung mga malalaking mga pangpublikong paggamutan,
01:01wala kang babayaran.
01:03Patients entering public hospitals now pay nothing, making health care truly accessible to all.
01:09The government is also expanding advanced treatments, including surgeries and cancer care,
01:14at low cost or free of charge.
01:16Mas marami kami nabibigay ng mga high-value treatment or high-value care,
01:22very advanced surgery, advanced radiation oncology treatment, advanced oncology treatment,
01:28breast cancer and all, na libre na halos sa pasyente, yung mga Z packages.
01:35Yan ang malaking pagbabago in my 35 years in public health.
01:41Meanwhile, data-driven reforms are empowering local communities.
01:46Kenneth Abante of the People's Budget Coalition explains how clear, actionable information helps decision makers
01:51target health care where it is needed most.
01:54Yung datos po kasi na ito, at in fact, isa po itong PIDS research sa mga magagandang paggamit ng data.
02:03Sa tingin po kasi namin, you know, a technical solution will not solve a political problem.
02:09At nasabi ko mga po kanina, na yung mga datos, they're only as good as the community they empower.
02:17He stressed that when data is clear, timely, and transparent, local governments can act decisively
02:22from planning budgets to implementing health programs.
02:25This collaboration across sectors is key to building a stronger data ecosystem.
02:30Corruption po ay parang cancer siya na kumakalat sa ating katawan.
02:34Kailangan natin bilang isang bansa na i-accept na meron tayong ganitong sakit.
02:43At dun lamang po natin ito masusolusyonan.
02:47With strengthened accountability, empowered communities, and expanded government programs,
02:53the Philippines is on track to deliver better health care outcomes for all, moving confidently towards 2030.
02:59Denise Osorio, for the National Television Network, for a new and better Philippines.
