Tag: MAIFIP

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Lacson: Media, Public Vigilance Key vs Budget Manipulations, Especially with Livestreaming

The media and the public must stay vigilant to prevent manipulations in the budget bill, especially now that the proceedings in the bicameral conference committee are being livestreamed, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.

Lacson said this will keep the pressure on lawmakers so they would not insist on funding for dubious programs, especially those that involve political patronage.

“Media and the public are the key here. If we all let down our guard, we may allow corruption to come back. We must remain vigilant not only on flood control projects, but also on the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program and farm-to-market roads,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

In Filipino: Lacson: Dapat Manatiling Mapagbantay ang Media at Publiko vs Manipulasyon sa Badyet, Lalo’t May Livestreaming Ngayon

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Lacson Not Signing Budget Bicam Report with Questionable MAIFIP, Farm-to-Market Roads Provisions

Unless the provisions granting the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) a massive budget increase and allocating billions for potentially unvetted farm-to-market roads are corrected, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson will not sign to ratify the bicameral conference committee report on the 2026 budget.

Lacson drew the line on the matter Sunday after the bicameral conference committee decided to increase the MAIFIP’s 2026 budget to P51 billion, and provide P33 billion for farm-to-market roads.

“Sorry, unless rectified in its final version, I cannot sign to ratify a bicam report with P51 billion for MAIFIP, with nothing but guarantee letters from politicians and is not compliant with the Universal Health Care Act. Further, I will not associate myself with the P33-billion spending for unplanned and unvetted farm-to-market roads,” said Lacson, an eagle-eyed watchdog of the national budget.

“Unless we adequately fund the UHC programs such that they cover all barangays and ensure zero billing, among others., we cannot fully implement the UHC law that we passed. All health-related funds must be subsumed under the Universal Health Care program of the Department of Health. Guarantee letters from politicians will only guarantee patronage politics but not the health care needs of Filipinos, especially the indigents,” he stressed.

In Filipino: Lacson, Hindi Pipirma sa Bicam Report ng Badyet na may Kaduda-dudang Probisyon sa MAIFIP, Farm-to-Market Roads

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Ping Lacson Bill Frees MAIFIP from Politics, Consolidates It Under Universal Health Care Act

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson has filed a bill seeking to free the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program of the Department of Health from politics, by placing it under the framework of the Universal Health Care Act – and penalizing political exploitation and manipulation of the program.

In Senate Bill 404 titled the “Universal Medical Assistance Act of 2025,” Lacson said this consolidation will eliminate “overlaps and redundancies” with other medical assistance programs implemented across various government agencies.

“By consolidating MAIFIP within the framework of the UHC, we can effectively address the issue of payment delays for medical services rendered by DOH-licensed and/or accredited health facilities because of political interference. The proposed legislation also aims to eliminate the politicization of the program, thus curbing the culture of mendicancy and political patronage,” he said.

“A coherent and unified health system under Universal Healthcare must be established to effectively address the needs of indigent and marginalized families. Individuals, regardless of economic status, who suffer from catastrophic illnesses and similar medical conditions and its corresponding substantial financial burdens, should meaningfully benefit from the government’s comprehensive safety net and enjoy affordable and accessible health services — free from political interventions that shamelessly exploit government programs to curry public favor,” he added.

In Filipino: Panukala ni Ping Lacson, Aalisin ang Pamumulitika sa MAIFIP

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