Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative ERIC G. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This Act, known as the "Universal Medical Access and Equipment Act of 2025", 
addresses the persistent challenge of inadequate access to essential medicines and 
diagnostic equipment in public hospitals across the Philippines. Recognizing that 
access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, this bill mandates the 
Department of Health (DOH) to provide adequate medicines and procure essential 
medical equipment for all government hospitals, utilizing the Medical Assistance to 
Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Fund. 
Currently, many public hospitals, particularly in underserved and remote areas, face 
significant shortages of essential medicines and lack basic diagnostic equipment 
such as X-ray machines, ultrasound machines, and ECG machines. These shortages 
often force patients, especially indigent and financially incapacitated individuals, to 
forgo necessary medical care, leading to delayed diagnoses, poorer health outcomes, 
and increased financial burden. This situation perpetuates health disparities and 
undermines the government's efforts to provide universal healthcare. 
This bill is not merely about providing medicines and equipment; it is about 
strengthening the entire public healthcare system and ensuring that every Filipino, 
regardless of financial status or location, has access to quality medical care. By 
investing in essential medicines and diagnostic equipment, this bill aims to improve 
health outcomes, reduce healthcare disparities, and promote the overall well-being 
of the Filipino people. This bill is a crucial step towards achieving universal 
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healthcare and fulfilling the State's commitment to protecting the right to health for 
all citizens. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. ERIC G. YAP 
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative ERIC G. YAP 
AN ACT 
MANDATING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) TO ENSURE THE 
AVAILABILITY 
OF MEDICINES AND PROCUREMENT OF MEDICAL 
EQUIPMENT IN ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS THROUGH THE UTILIZATION OF 
THE 
MEDICAL 
ASSISTANCE 
TO 
INDIGENT 
AND 
FINANCIALLY 
INCAPACITATED PATIENTS (MAIFIP) FUND, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Universal Medical 
Access and Equipment Act of 2025.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote and 
protect the right to health of every Filipino by ensuring universal access to essential 
medicines and quality healthcare services. In line with this, the State shall mandate 
the Department of Health (DOH) to provide adequate medicines and procure 
essential medical equipment for all government hospitals using the Medical 
Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Fund. 
SEC 3. Definitions. - For the purposes of this Act, the following definitions 
shall apply: 
a. Essential Medicines: Refers to the list of medicines identified by the DOH
as essential for the treatment of prevalent diseases and health conditions in
the Philippines, as well as medicines included in the Philippine National
Formulary.
b. Essential Medical Equipment: Refers to X-ray machines, ultrasound
machines, ECG machines, and other diagnostic equipment deemed
necessary by the DOH for basic diagnostic services in public hospitals.
c.
Public Hospitals: Refers to all hospitals owned and operated by the
national government, including, but not limited to, national hospitals,
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regional hospitals, provincial hospitals, city hospitals, and municipal 
hospitals. 
 
d.​ MAIFIP Fund: Refers to the Medical Assistance to Indigent and 
Financially Incapacitated Patients Fund. 
 
SEC 4. Availability of Essential Medicines. - The DOH shall ensure the 
continuous and adequate supply of essential medicines in all public hospitals 
nationwide. This includes: 
 
a.​ Procurement: The DOH shall establish a streamlined procurement 
process for essential medicines, ensuring competitive pricing and timely 
delivery. Bulk purchasing and strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical 
companies shall be explored to maximize cost-effectiveness. Preference 
shall be given to locally manufactured medicines that meet quality 
standards. 
 
b.​ Inventory Management: Public hospitals shall implement efficient 
inventory management systems to prevent stockouts and wastage of 
medicines. The DOH shall provide technical assistance and training to 
hospital personnel on inventory management best practices. 
 
c.​ Storage: Public hospitals shall ensure proper storage of medicines, 
adhering to prescribed temperature and humidity requirements to 
maintain their efficacy and safety. 
 
d.​ Dispensing: The DOH shall develop guidelines for the efficient and 
equitable dispensing of medicines to patients in public hospitals, 
prioritizing indigent and financially incapacitated patients. 
 
SEC 5. Provision of Essential Medical Equipment. - The DOH shall ensure 
that all public hospitals are equipped with essential medical equipment, including, 
but not limited to: 
 
a.​ For X-ray Machines: Every public hospital shall have at least one 
functional X-ray machine capable of performing basic radiographic 
examinations. 
 
b.​ Ultrasound Machines: Every public hospital shall have at least one 
functional ultrasound machine capable of performing basic ultrasound 
examinations. 
 
c.​ Electro Cardiogram Machines: Every public hospital shall have at least 
one functional ECG machine capable of performing electrocardiograms. 
 
d.​ Other Equipment: The DOH shall conduct a needs assessment to 
determine the need for other essential medical equipment in public 
hospitals and prioritize their procurement based on the assessment 
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results, taking into consideration the needs of indigent and financially 
incapacitated patients. 
 
SEC 6. Funding. - The funding for the procurement of essential medicines and 
medical equipment under this Act shall be sourced primarily from the MAIFIP 
Fund. The DOH shall: 
 
a.​ MAIFIP Allocation: At least twenty-five percent (25%) of the annual 
MAIFIP fund shall exclusively be utilized for the procurement of essential 
medicines and medical equipment as mandated by this Act. This 
allocation shall be prioritized and protected from other uses. 
 
b.​ Annual Appropriations: While the primary funding source is the 
MAIFIP, sufficient funds may also be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act to supplement the MAIFIP allocation and ensure the 
long-term sustainability of the program. 
 
c.​ Other Sources: The DOH is authorized to explore other funding sources, 
including grants and donations, to further supplement the funds 
allocated under this Act, provided that such funds are aligned with the 
objectives of the MAIFIP and this Act. 
 
SEC 7. MAIFIP Fund Management and Transparency. – The DOH shall 
develop clear and transparent guidelines for the utilization of the MAIFIP fund for 
the purposes of this Act, ensuring accountability and preventing misuse of funds. 
 
Implement a robust monitoring system to track the utilization of MAIFIP 
funds for the procurement of medicines and equipment and to assess the impact of 
this Act on access to healthcare for indigent and financially incapacitated patients. 
Publish regular reports on the utilization of the MAIFIP fund, including details on 
the procurement of medicines and equipment, the number of patients served, and 
the overall impact on public health. 
 
SEC 8. Implementation and Monitoring. – The DOH shall be the lead 
implementing agency for this Act. It shall develop implementing rules and 
regulations within sixty (60) days of the effectivity of this Act. Conduct regular 
monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of this Act to ensure its 
effectiveness. Submit an annual report to Congress on the progress of the 
implementation of this Act, including data on the availability of medicines and 
equipment in public hospitals, the utilization of funds, the number of indigent and 
financially incapacitated patients served, and any challenges encountered. 
 
SEC 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in 
full force and effect. 
 
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SEC 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved, 
​
 
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