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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DFA: Philippines, Japan sign diplomatic notes to boost Universal Health Care reforms

DFA: Philippines, Japan sign diplomatic notes to boost Universal Health Care reforms

Japan extends P11.54-B loan for the Philippines' Universal Health Care program

Published Aug 4, 2026 09:04 pm

At A Glance

  • The Philippines secured a P11.54-billion JICA loan to support the Build Universal Health Care Program (Subprogram 3) and strengthen healthcare reforms.
  • Japan's 30-billion-yen loan will fund reforms in healthcare financing, service delivery, strategic purchasing, and health information management.
  • The financing builds on earlier support from the ADB, AIIB, and JICA to help fully implement the Universal Health Care Act and expand access to quality healthcare services nationwide.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro signs the diplomatic notes for Japan's 30-billion-yen loan (approximately P11.54 billion) through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support the Philippines' Build Universal Health Care Program (Subprogram 3). (Photo courtesy of Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro/X)
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro signs the diplomatic notes for Japan's 30-billion-yen loan (approximately P11.54 billion) through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support the Philippines' Build Universal Health Care Program (Subprogram 3). (Photo courtesy of Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro/X)
The Philippines and Japan have signed diplomatic notes for a 30-billion Japanese yen (approximately P11.54 billion or $187.92 million) loan to advance the country's Universal Health Care (UHC) program through key healthcare reforms.
The diplomatic notes were signed on Tuesday, August 4, by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, covering the Government of Japan's loan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the Build Universal Health Care Program (Subprogram 3) – Emergency Support.
"Today, I am pleased to sign the Diplomatic Notes in support of the Build Universal Health Care Program (Subprogram 3) under the Philippines-Japan development cooperation framework," Lazaro said in a post on X.
"This reaffirms the strong commitment of the Philippines and Japan to ensuring quality, accessible, and equitable healthcare for every Filipino," she said.
"It also advances our Philippines-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through our shared dedication to building a stronger, healthier nation," she added.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the loan will help finance reforms focused on sustainable healthcare financing, strategic purchasing under the UHC system, the integrated delivery of quality health services, and improved information management and performance accountability.
According to the DFA, the project is being implemented and co-financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Build Universal Health Care Program (BUHC) Subprogram 3 seeks to improve equitable access to quality healthcare services across the country while ensuring that health programs are responsive to gender-specific health needs and the growing impacts of climate change on public health.
The initiative builds on earlier phases of the program.
Subprogram 1, implemented from January 2019 to May 2021, was supported by the ADB, while Subprogram 2, carried out from July 2021 to September 2023, was jointly financed by the ADB, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and JICA.
The latest financing is expected to further strengthen the Philippines' efforts to fully implement the Universal Health Care Act by improving the efficiency, sustainability, and accessibility of healthcare services nationwide.

Related Tags

Philippines Universal Health Care JICA loan Philippines Japan-Philippines development cooperation Universal Health Care Act Build Universal Health Care Program
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