As we speak, the Philippine Universal Health Care Law is already seven (7) months old and its implementing rules is in its final stages. It is considered a landmark legislation and is hoped to leapfrog the country’s efforts to reform the health system.

          Hence, developing a people-centered health system requires robust engagement of the private sector, civil societies, international health partners, and NGOs is significantly necessary as multipliers in the delivery of health services. In like manner, the Philippine Government seeks to promote participatory governance through the development of mechanisms for community and patient organizations.

          As an archipelagic country, health initiatives of local government units that have decentralized health system have to be aligned with the national government through the local investment plan for health. Along these lines, a sector development approach for health has also to be instituted to integrate efforts of our development partners.

          In the Philippine Congress, various legislative measures to expand the revenue base, particularly by increasing sin taxes for tobacco, alcohol, and electronic cigarettes to help fund the UHC are now under consideration.

          UHC is a dream that cuts across all the strata of society. But it is also movement that must transcend the confines of public life. The attainment of UHC stands on the basis of a whole-of-government, whole-of-society, whole-of-system approaches, along with health-in-all policies, equity and life-course.

          Along with the recognition that countless people need to be protected from financial consequences of health-care payments, the Philippines affirms the need to accelerate multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder action and investments to achieve UHC. We are one with you on this journey. Thank you.