via GRAPHIC PLUS | Pasig (01 June 2026) — The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Philippines, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ink a partnership to improve maternal health, family planning, and access for millions of Filipino women and families.
This major agreement comes right after PhilHealth expanded its maternity benefit packages in April, which now covers the recommended number of prenatal and postnatal check-ups and almost tripled the coverage for normal and cesarean births, showing a strong commitment to better health for women, adolescents and indigent Filipinos.
The agreement sets a long-term plan for both UNFPA and PhilHealth combining their expertise to support the realization of Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health law (RPRH), Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, focusing on reducing maternal mortality, improving access to sexual reproductive health, including family planning through smart investments and innovative solutions.
“The PhilHealth is an indispensable partner for making universal healthcare a reality in the country,” says Neus Bernabeu, UNFPA Country Representative.
“This partnership is about expanding access to quality care, supporting healthier communities, and securing the lifelong wellbeing of every Filipino family. It is more than just reducing out-of-pocket costs, it’s for a life-saving cause,” she adds.
PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, emphasizes the corporation’s dedication to making healthcare easier to access for every Filipino, particularly those who need it most.
“Our ultimate goal is to remove costs and financial barriers, within reach, for every Filipino,” Dr. Mercado states.
“Through this partnership with UNFPA, and alongside our expanded maternity benefits, we are making healthcare more inclusive so that financial hardship never stops a mother from getting proper medical care.”
UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Director, Aleksandar “Sasha” Bodiroza, witnessed the signing ceremony and congratulated the Philippines for its landmark achievement, acknowledging that it is a powerful example in the region of how working together can turn good policies into a life-saving reality on the ground.
Under this renewed partnership, UNFPA and PhilHealth work together to ensure health policies actually reach patients and benefit communities. The agencies will strengthen ties with healthcare providers and local government units (LGUs) to encourage effective and smart investment of local funds into sustainable health programs.
At the same time, the agencies are designing more affordable health packages to make maternal care easier to access, while integrating family planning and counseling into training programs for health workers. This partnership is a major step forward in protecting the health, dignity, and rights of Filipino women, moving the country toward a fairer future.
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