Calling it a “medical pork barrel” that prioritizes political discretion over patients’ rights, a health advocacy group condemned Congress’ decision to allocate P51.1 billion for the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) under the proposed 2026 national budget.

In a statement issued on Monday, Dec. 22 , the Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) said the MAIFIP allocation reflects a choice of “pork over patients,” arguing that the program places lawmakers, not the health system, in control of access to life-saving care.

“MAIFIP is medical pork barrel. Congress chose pork over patients,” the group said.

“Healthcare is a right, not a favor. Public funds must save lives, MAIFIP should not be used for political discretion.”

According to HEAD, MAIFIP is a discretionary fund that “places politicians—not patients—in control of life-saving healthcare.”

It warned that such a program does not guarantee access for the poorest and most vulnerable Filipinos.

“It does NOT guarantee access for the poorest and most vulnerable Filipinos. Instead, it perpetuates a patronage system where medical aid is rationed at the discretion of lawmakers and used as a political favor,” the health group stated.

“It leaves patients begging for treatment that they are entitled to receive as a basic human right.”

As such, HEAD pointed out that MAIFIP fails to ensure zero balance billing for indigent patients in government hospitals, noting that many public facilities lack adequate capacity for medical care and diagnostic procedures.

“MAIFIP DOES NOT ensure Zero Balance Billing in government hospitals where indigent patients go. Public hospitals lack facilities for medical care and diagnostic procedures and are forced to go to private hospitals, still paying out-of-pocket expenses,” it stated.

Instead of maintaining MAIFIP as a congressional allocation, the health group urged lawmakers to scrap the program entirely and redirect the P51.1 billion directly to public hospitals and other public health facilities.

“MAIFIP should have been allocated to Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of government hospitals to ensure FREE medicines, medical supplies and diagnostic procedures,” said HEAD.

In addition, the alliance said the funds should also be earmarked for the purchase of medical equipment used directly in health-care service delivery.

HEAD also raised concerns over proposals to channel MAIFIP funds through PhilHealth, warning of risks tied to governance and efficiency issues at the state insurer.

“Channeling MAIFIP to PhilHealth endangers the funds in the hands of a corrupt and inefficient state-insurer institution,” it said.

Calling for a broader shift in health financing, the health group said the government must fortify the public health care system by allocating at least five percent of gross domestic product to the national health budget, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

“The government must strengthen the public health care system by allocating at least 5% of GDP to the national health budget, in line with WHO recommendations,” it said.

Earlier, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David of Caloocan flagged serious moral and constitutional concerns over the expansion of MAIFIP in the proposed 2026 national budget, cautioning that the program entrenches political patronage and erodes human dignity.

“When access to health care, education, or emergency assistance depends on a politician’s endorsement, a guarantee letter, or personal intervention, something deeply wrong has taken root—not only legally, but morally,” he said.

“From a pastoral perspective, this is not a mere technical flaw in governance. It is a violation of human dignity.”