Budget for guarantee letter–driven medical aid raised to P51B for 2026

The proposed funding for the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) has been raised to P51 billion for 2026, after lawmakers finalizing next year’s national budget approved an increase.

MAIFIP provides financial assistance for the medical expenses of poor patients, often through guarantee letters issued by politicians.

The bicameral conference committee (bicam), composed of members of the Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Appropriations, increased the program’s budget following an appeal from the House panel to restore its proposed P49-billion allocation.

Lawmakers noted that key health reforms, including Universal Health Care (UHC) and zero-balance billing, have yet to be fully implemented.

The Senate version of the budget had slashed MAIFIP funding to P29 billion for 2026.

House Appropriations Committee chairperson Mika Suansing warned that upholding the Senate’s proposed cut would supposedly affect an estimated 1.1 million patients.

During the bicam meeting, Senator Loren Legarda said that, “in an ideal world,” there should be no need for guarantee letters from senators and congressmen.

“But until such time that the Universal Health Care law is fully and properly implemented and PhilHealth is able to handle all of this, I believe that we must provide for the poorest of the poor,” Legarda said.

MAIFIP covers eligible applicants, including indigent patients and financially incapacitated individuals.

The program, however, has drawn criticism for its heavy reliance on guarantee letters from politicians, a practice critics say perpetuates patronage politics.—MCG, GMA Integrated News