QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assures Filipino health workers that the administration will continue to provide their benefits despite lifting the state of health emergency in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“[K]ahit hindi itinutuloy ang state of calamity ay hindi maapektuhan ang pagbayad doon sa ating mga health workers ng kanilang mga benefits,” President Marcos said after meeting with health officials in Malacañang.

The Chief Executive also reported that the COVAX Facility has sent 1.3 million doses of vaccines to the Philippines which is sufficient for the country for now. He pointed out that there has been a declining number of infections and hospitalization in the country compared to recent years.

“Hindi na kailangan kagaya ng 2021 na lagi tayong nagmamadali makakuha ng vaccine dahil pabawas na ‘yung risk, so dapat naman eh mag-adjust din tayo doon sa kung ano ba talaga ang scientific na assessment doon sa sitwasyon ng COVID,” the President said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health, during the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Philippine Development Plan (PDP) Forum for 2023-2028 outlines the agency’s key actions to combat leading health sector issues.

The vision of the Health Sector Strategy for 2023-2028 gives emphasis on vital components highlighting four major pillars of the framework:

1)    A society that promotes physical, mental, and social well-being;

2)    Empowering communities and households to make healthy and informed choices;

3)    Giving access to both public and private health care delivery systems; and

4)    Capacitating measures to bolster the health system in support of other outcomes.

With this in mind, the DOH now aims to achieve four major strategic outcomes:

1)    Improving the social determinants of health;

2)    Enabling healthy choices and behavior;

3)    Improving the Filipinos’ access to quality and efficient health care; and

4)    Strengthening of the country’s health systems.

The expansion and strengthening of the country’s healthcare system is among the 10-point priority agenda of the current administration in order to provide safer and healthier communities for every Filipino. (KSAA – PIA CPSD)