Japan extends ₱11.5B loan for Universal Health Care

The Philippines and Japan have signed diplomatic notes for a new Japanese loan worth ¥30 billion (about ₱11.54 billion) to help strengthen the country’s Universal Health Care (UHC) program.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday that Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro signed the diplomatic notes covering the loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the Build Universal Health Care Program (Subprogram 3) – Emergency Support.

The funding will help the government carry out key reforms aimed at making healthcare more accessible, affordable, and efficient for Filipinos.

According to the DFA, the loan will support efforts to ensure sustainable financing for the Universal Health Care program, improve the way health services are purchased and delivered, strengthen the quality of healthcare nationwide, and upgrade information systems and accountability in the health sector.

The ₱11.54-billion loan is being implemented and co-financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The third phase of the Build Universal Health Care Program also seeks to expand access to quality healthcare, especially for underserved communities. It aims to make health services more responsive to the different needs of women and men while helping the health system adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The program builds on earlier reforms under its first two phases. Subprogram 1, implemented from 2019 to 2021, was supported by the ADB, while Subprogram 2, carried out from 2021 to 2023, was jointly financed by the ADB, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and JICA.

The latest loan underscores Japan’s continuing support for the Philippines’ efforts to fully implement the Universal Health Care Act and improve access to quality medical services for all Filipinos.