MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
[ MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 26, July 25, 2023 ]
ADOPTING THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH FACILITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2020-2040, DIRECTING ALL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES, AND ENCOURAGING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, TO UNDERTAKE EFFORTS IN SUPPORT THEREOF
WHEREAS, Section 15, Article II of the Constitution declares it a policy of the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and install health consciousness among them;
WHEREAS, Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) No. 11223 or the "Universal Health Care Act of 2019" provides that the State shall adopt a framework that fosters a whole-of-system, whole-of-government, and whole-of-society approach in the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of health policies, programs, and plans to ensure a people-oriented approach in the delivery of health services;
WHEREAS, the Department of Health (DOH) crafted the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan (PHFDP) 2020-2040 to serve as the country's overall strategy for infrastructure and medical investments with the end in view of ensuring a strong primary care and integrated health system for every Filipino, consistent with the Universal Health Care Act;
WHEREAS, the PHFDP 2020-2040 operationalizes one of the key strategies under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, particularly on the promotion of human and social development by boosting health through an accessible, efficient, and strengthened health care systems; and
WHEREAS, to ensure the success of the PHFDP 2020-2040, it is necessary for all concerned national government agencies and instrumentalities, and local government units (LGUs) to support and cooperate in the implementation of the PHFDP 2020-2040;
NOW, THEREFORE, the following are hereby ordered:
The PHFDP 2020-2040, which is annexed to this Circular, is hereby ADOPTED.
In accordance with their respective mandates, all concerned agencies and instrumentalities of the National Government, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and all LGUs are hereby encouraged, to undertake efforts in support of the implementation of the PHFDP 2020-2040, and the plans and programs specified therein.
For this purpose, the DOH, in accordance with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, is hereby directed to:
1. Facilitate the dissemination and ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the PHFDP 2020-2040 at the LGU level;
2. Assist, guide, and support LGUs in translating the PHFDP 2020-2040 into long-term local health facility development plans to be reflected in their respective Local Investment Plans for Health and Local Development Investment Programs;
3. Coordinate with LGUs in order to formulate policies relative to the establishment of Primary Care Provider Networks and Health Care Provider Networks;
4. Monitor the Implementation of the PHFDP 2020-2040 and the development of local health facilities, and submit annual reports to the Office of the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary, on the progress and operation thereof;
5. Encourage LGUs to enter into Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to address the gaps identified in the PHFDP 2020-2040. In this regard, LGUs may seek the assistance of the PPP Center in the conduct of technical trainings and capacity-building activities on the development and implementation of relevant PPP projects; and
6. Issue necessary guidelines to effectively implement this Circular. The DOH may request the assistance of other relevant govenrment agencies and offices in the formulation of said guidelines.
Moreover, the DOH, in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments and the Fiscal Incentives Review Board, shall study, formulate, and implement policies that will encourage both domestic and international enterprises from the private sector to invest in health facilities aimed at addressing gaps identified in the PHFDP 2020-2040.1âшphi1
The funding requirements for the implementation of this Circular shall be charged against the existing appropriations of the respective agencies and LGUs, subject to availability thereof, consistent with relevant budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations.
This Circular shall take effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
DONE, in the City of Manila, this 25th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty-Three.
(SGD.) FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS, JR.
By the President:
(SGD.) LUCAS P. BERSAMIN
Executive Secretary
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