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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos expands maternity coverage for normal deliveries, cesarean sections

Marcos expands maternity coverage for normal deliveries, cesarean sections

Published Apr 29, 2026 11:22 am  |  Updated Apr 29, 2026 03:22 pm

At A Glance

  • President Marcos announced that PhilHealth coverage for normal deliveries will increase from P9,750 to P29,000, while cesarean sections coverage will go up from P37,000 to P58,000-P62,000.
Mothers hold their leap-year babies who were born on Feb. 29, 2024 at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila. (Arnold Quizol | MANILA BULLETIN)
Mothers hold their leap-year babies who were born on Feb. 29, 2024 at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila. (Arnold Quizol | MANILA BULLETIN)
President Marcos announced that the maternity coverage for normal deliveries and cesarean sections under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will increase staring April 30.
In a video message on Wednesday, April 29, Marcos said that coverage for normal deliveries will increase from P9,750 to P29,000, while cesarean sections coverage will go up from P37,000 to P58,000-P62,000.
Marcos emphasized the need to expand PhilHealth's maternity coverage as he recognized how expensive childbirth can be, which includes check-ups, laboratory tests, hospital bills, and medicines.
"Kapag kinulang ang pera, napipilitan tayong maghintay o magtipid. Dito nagsisimula ang panganib (When money falls short, we are forced to wait or cut back. That’s where the danger begins)," he said.
"Maraming ina ang nanganganak na walang doktor. Hindi dahil ayaw nila ng tamang pang-alaga, kung hindi dahil hindi nila kaya ang paggastos (Many mothers give birth without a doctor—not because they don’t want proper care, but because they cannot afford the cost)," he added.
"This is what we aim to change," the President further said.
Marcos also said that in many cases, patients "may no longer have to pay anything" after giving birth even in a private hospital.
Prenatal care has also been expanded, Marcos added.
From four check-ups, PhilHealth will now cover up to eight. This includes vaccines and laboratory tests.
After giving birth, three follow-up visits will also be covered.
"Simple lamang ang ating layunin. Nais natin matiyak na ang bawat ina ay makakapagpanganak nang ligtas at hindi nag-aalala kung saan kukuha ng pambayad (Our goal is simple. We want to ensure that every mother can give birth safely without worrying about how to pay for it)," Marcos said.
"Nais natin na walang buhay ang malalagay sa panganib dahil lamang sa kakulangan ng pera (We want no life to be put at risk simply because of a lack of money)," he added.

Related Tags

PhilHealth President Marcos maternity coverage normal deliveries prenatal care cesarean section
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