‘Gradual implementation’ of universal healthcare likely amid fund lack — Palace

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo (File photo by JOAN BONDOC / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — A “gradual implementation” of the Universal Healthcare Act is likely if government fails to find ample resources to fund it, Malacañang admitted Wednesday.

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to sign the Universal Healthcare bill into law today, February 20, in a ceremony at the Palace. Once enacted, the measure aims to make healthcare available to all Filipinos.

READ: Palace: Duterte to sign into law Universal Healthcare bill on Feb 20

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that in light of an estimated P164 billion funding gap of the government for the universal health care law, government might be constrained to implement the measure slowly.

READ: DOH pushes for higher tobacco taxes to fund Universal Health Care 

“Eh kung wala pang pera, then we’ll have to… Kumbaga kung ang project mo 10 projects in one year eh kung hindi mo naman kayang pondohan eh ‘di medyo i-reduce mo na muna,” Panelo said during a press briefing.

“Gradual ang implementation pero meron pa namang ano, there are many ways to augment the resources. I’m sure our government will know how to source funds in accordance with the constitution,” he added when asked if the lack of funds would mean that not all Filipinos would be covered by the impending universal healthcare law. /kga