MAG Statement on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 3rd State of the Nation Address

Ahead of President Marcos' 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint session of the Philippine Congress, the Medical Action Group (MAG) expresses deep concern over the deteriorating state of the Philippine health system. The government's failure to address critical issues has left the health system in a precarious condition.


The 2022 Global Health System Index ranks the Philippines 57th out of 195 countries, highlighting significant weaknesses. The country faces numerous challenges, including ongoing health crises, natural disasters, and systemic issues within the health sector.


Underserved populations suffer the most, facing high rates of tuberculosis, HIV, and outbreaks of measles and dengue. Family planning needs are unmet, teenage pregnancies are high, and preventable maternal and newborn deaths are increasing. Out-of-pocket health expenses burden families, while gender inequality and climate change further restrict access to quality healthcare.


MAG believes that the root of the problem lies in a system where:


1. Declining Public Health Expenditures: Health spending dropped by 1.4% in 2022, reducing investment in essential services.

2. Lack of Transparency and Accountability: Corruption and mismanagement in the Department of Health, including the misuse of COVID-19 funds, strain the health system.

3. Shortage of Healthcare Personnel: The exodus of health workers and low healthcare professional-to-population ratio weaken the health system, especially during emergencies. The National Human Resource for Health Plan under the UHC Act is quite ambitious but fails to address the conditions driving health professionals to work overseas.

4. Weakening Primary Healthcare System: The weakening primary healthcare services lead to high rates of preventable diseases and deaths due to the lack of mandatory local health funds.

5. Limited Access to Essential Medicines: Affordable, quality generic medicines are scarce, and the Cheaper Medicines Act is poorly implemented. The Department of Health seems to favor branded medicines over generics, allowing collusion between doctors and pharmaceutical companies.

6. Unfulfilled Promises of Universal Health Care: The Universal Health Care Act is still far from realization even after five years, as the DOH has yet to achieve the law's key milestones, including expanding its pilot areas. The BUCAS Center which purportedly aims to  bridge  the gap between primary health care facilities and higher level health institutions by 2028, should not duplicate the devolved functions of LGUs in health. DOH should always complement and never compete with the local health system.

7. Neglect of Social Determinants of Health: Minimum daily wages are insufficient to meet families' basic necessities, let alone cover health expenses. By allowing the operations of destructive industries, the government places affected communities at significant health risks.

There is more than meet the eye. The misuse of PhilHealth's excess funds reflects a misprioritization of health. Past actions by the DBM, such as withholding premium payments, have hindered PhilHealth's operations, affecting millions of poor Filipinos.


MAG believes that systemic change is imperative and puts forward its Six-Point Health Agenda:


1. Strengthen Health Services Delivery: Improve health services at all levels and ensure patient rights. Local Government Units must take a proactive role.

2. Support Health Professionals and Workers: Provide adequate support and fully implement the Magna Carta of Public Health Workers.

3. Ensure Access to Essential Medicines: Make cost-effective medicines accessible and strictly enforce the Cheaper Medicines Act.

4. Improve Health Financing: Reduce healthcare costs and out-of-pocket expenses by fully implementing the Universal Health Care Act without further delay.

5. Enhance Health Information Systems: Develop evidence-based interventions and establish a unified health information center. While data privacy must be observed, data sharing for better healthcare delivery is essential.

6. Ensure Effective Health Governance: Promote accountable, rights-based governance to support the health sector.



MAG urges the government to take immediate, decisive action to reform the public health system. Marcos' vision of Bagong Pilipinas cannot be realized without prioritizing health and making it more accessible to all.