Herbosa backs Tulfo push to use MAIFP for medicines, devices

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa last week threw his support behind Senator Erwin Tulfo’s proposal to use the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFP) fund to directly procure medicines and medical equipment for patients in need.

In a video message aired over *Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon*, Herbosa called the proposal a timely and practical solution. “Ito po ay isang magandang mungkahi at ako po ay sumasang-ayon sa ganitong legislation para maisabatas at mapabilis ang pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga nangangailangan,” he said.

Tulfo made the suggestion last week after reports surfaced that some private hospitals in Batangas have started rejecting DOH guarantee letters due to delayed payments—raising fears that MAIFP funds may have been exhausted. He assured, however, that Congress has allocated enough money for the program.

Herbosa clarified that the issue is not lack of funds but often incomplete documentation that slows down payments. “Nandiyan po ang funds. Andito ako ngayon sa DBM, at basta may documentation, nababayaran naman po ang ating mga ospital,” he emphasized.

In February, Tulfo filed House Bill No. 11444, which seeks to allow the DOH—not Congress—to directly manage the MAIFP funds. The bill aims to streamline fund allocation and enable the department to use the budget for hospital maintenance and operating costs, including the purchase of medicines and medical devices.

The Department of Health views this move as a major step toward efficiency and faster delivery of medical services, particularly for the most vulnerable sectors.

With both legislative and executive support, the proposed measure could soon transform the way public healthcare assistance is delivered—making it faster, more responsive, and truly life-saving.