By Lane Afable, News Editor
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday announced the expansion and increase of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) maternity benefits starting April 30, 2026.
In a video message, President Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring accessible prenatal care, covering check-ups, laboratory tests, hospital bills, and essential medicines.
“Mga kababayan, alam natin kung gaano kamahal ang panganganak. May check-up, laboratory tests, ospital, at gamot. Kapag kinulang ang pera, napipilitan tayo maghintay o magtipid. Dito nagsisimula ang panganib,” the President said.
“Maraming ina ang nanganganak na walang doktor. Hindi dahil ayaw nila ng tamang pang-alaga, kung hindi dahil hindi nila kaya ang panggastos. Ito ang nais natin baguhin. Simula sa April 30, mas pinalawak at mas mataas na ang maternity benefit ng PhilHealth,” the President added.
Under the expanded program, PhilHealth coverage for normal delivery will increase to PhP29,000 from the previous PhP9,750.
For cesarean section, coverage will rise between PhP58,000 and PhP62,000, up from PhP37,000.
“Sa maraming pagkakataon, kung sa ward manganganak, kahit sa private hospital, maaari ng wala ng babayaran paglabas,” the President further stated.
Prenatal care has also been expanded from four to eight check-ups, including vaccines and laboratory tests. PhilHealth will also cover three postnatal follow-up visits.
“Simple lamang ang ating layunin, nais natin na matiyak na ang bawat ina ay makakapagpanganak nang ligtas at hindi nag-aalala kung saan kukuha ng pambayad. Nais natin na walang buhay ang malalagay sa panganib dahil lamang sa kakulangan ng pera,” the President said.
