Unilab Foundation (ULF), through the Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP), and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) have launched a pioneering partnership to strengthen local government health financing—a crucial but often neglected factor in achieving Universal Health Care (UHC). In collaboration with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), this initiative focuses on optimizing health spending across local government units (LGUs) under the UHC Law, marking the first research-driven effort of its kind.
The partnership unites UCHP and Ateneo’s School of Government (ASoG), leveraging UCHP’s expertise in UHC implementation and ASoG’s leadership in policy innovation and public accountability. Together, they aim to blend data-driven policy with ethical, evidence-based governance, aspiring to shift mindsets toward viewing good health as a collective responsibility—not just a policy goal.
At the ceremonial signing, Unilab Foundation Executive Director Atty. Jose Maria Ochave emphasized the broader vision: “Today is not just a ceremonial signing but a small step toward transforming local health governance in the country. We are happy and privileged to partner with the Ateneo School of Government and the Ateneo de Manila University.”
Ateneo Vice President for Higher Education, Dr. Maria Luz C. Vilches, underscored the vital but often overlooked role of budgeting in health outcomes: “This is very important as pointed out about the UHC Law; there’s a lot to do. Our noble goal is health insurance, well-being—but we have to attend to the mundane things called budget and money. Sometimes the lever does not move if you don’t touch the aspects of budget and money. I am happy that this project is going to move that lever.”
UCHP Program Director Ruben “John” Basa highlighted the depth of the initiative: “When you talk of local government, health financing and Ateneo, this is a small room of big ideas. We want to research and demonstrate how the UHC Law can be implemented one LGU at a time.”
UCHP has already laid groundwork with four major studies—two national and two local—on key UHC reforms. These include an assessment of PhilHealth’s new provider payment system, the Konsulta outpatient package rollout, and a service delivery model for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), soon to be piloted in Ormoc City.
Basa also referenced UCHP’s landmark 30-year review of national health accounts, which revealed stark differences in health financing trends. “In 1992, the out-of-pocket spending of the Philippines was at 47 percent, Thailand was at 45 percent. Fast forward to 2023, the Philippines’ out-of-pocket spending went down to 45 percent, Thailand to 9.2 percent. They must be doing something good over there.” The same study found that local government spending on health is “falling to irrelevance,” highlighting the urgent need for reform.
ASoG Dean Philip Arnold Tuaño closed the event by stressing the importance of industry leadership and fiscal monitoring: “Today formalizes a partnership with the common vision of pursuit of equitable, accessible, and effective healthcare for the Philippines.” He noted that the partnership will generate research and data to guide both national and local decision-makers, ensuring every peso spent translates into better services and infrastructure.
, leveraging UCHP’s expertise in UHC implementation and ASoG’s leadership in policy innovation and public accountability. Together, they aim to blend data-driven policy with ethical, evidence-based governance, aspiring to shift mindsets toward viewing good health as a collective responsibility—not just a policy goal.){kind=link}