President Marcos: Expanded PhilHealth maternity benefits to take effect April 30

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the expansion of maternity benefits under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is scheduled to take effect on Thursday (April 30, 2026).

In a video message, Marcos reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making prenatal and maternal healthcare more accessible.

This initiative includes coverage for check-ups, laboratory tests, hospital expenses, and essential medicines.

“Mga kababayan, alam natin kung gaano kamahal ang panganganak. May check-up, laboratory tests, ospital, at gamot. Kapag kinulang ang pera, napipilitan tayo maghintay o magtipid. Ditonagsisimulaang panganib,” the President said.

“Maraming ina ang nanganganak na walang doktor. Hindi dahil ayaw nila ng tamang pang-alaga, kung hindi dahil hindi nila kaya ang panggastos. Ito ang nais natin baguhin. Simula sa April 30, mas pinalawak at mas mataas na ang maternity benefit ng PhilHealth,” he added.

Under the enhanced package, the coverage for normal delivery will increase to P29,000, up from the previous amount of P9,750.

For cesarean sections, the benefit amount will increase to between P58,000 and P62,000, up from the previous rate of P37,000.

“Sa maraming pagkakataon, kung sa ward manganganak, kahit sa private hospital, maaari ng wala ng babayaran paglabas,” the President fsaid.

The program now includes eight prenatal check-ups, up from the previous four, and covers vaccines and laboratory tests. Additionally, it now includes coverage for three postnatal follow-up visits.

“Simple lamang ang ating layunin, nais natin na matiyak na ang bawat ina ay makakapagpanganak nang ligtas at hindi nag-aalala kung saan kukuha ng pambayad. Nais natin na walang buhay ang malalagay sa panganib dahil lamang sa kakulangan ng pera,” the President said.

-Paraluman News