Policy Briefs

Despite existing policy mandates for universal health coverage and reproductive health access, a significant unmet need for family planning (FP) persists among Filipino women, especially those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. At the same time, PhilHealth packages currently cover long-acting contraceptives, failing to align with the preference of Filipino women for short-term contraceptive methods and leaving them to spend out-of-pocket in pharmacies for their FP needs. 

This policy brief proposes the integration of oral contraceptives into the PhilHealth GAMOT (Guaranteed Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment) benefit package supported with SRH counseling services through YAKAP. This reform utilizes the National Health Insurance Program as an enabler to diversify options, remove financial barriers, and ensure convenient access through private pharmacy chains.

Rapid repeat pregnancies constitute a critical public health and economic challenge in the Philippines. Over 7 million women experience RRP with unmet need for family planning as a leading factor. This results in not only poor health outcomes for women and children, but also negative socioeconomic issues. 

This policy brief recommends the integration of a comprehensive two-year supply of postpartum short-acting contraceptives directly into existing PhilHealth benefits, whether through the PhilHealth Maternal Care Package or the PhilHealth YAKAP Top-Up for Care Coordination. By establishing a financing mechanism for these commodities, PhilHealth can effectively bridge the access gap for postpartum contraception of 7 million Filipino women of reproductive age, curb preventable negative impacts of RRP, and ensure overall health and socioeconomic wellbeing of Filipino families.

Rapid repeat pregnancies constitute a critical public health and economic challenge in the Philippines. Over 7 million women experience RRP with unmet need for family planning as a leading factor. This results in not only poor health outcomes for women and children, but also negative socioeconomic issues. 

This policy brief recommends two targeted PhilHealth benefit expansions for the 2027 General Appropriations Act: Allocation of PHP 349,580,000 for the expansion of the Maternity Care Package to cover one year of postpartum contraceptives; and Allocation of PHP 579,560,000 for the inclusion of oral contraceptives in the GAMOT Package. Together, these investments offer a fiscally responsible, clinically grounded pathway to reducing unmet need and preventing rapid repeat pregnancy among the women who need it most.

Gender-based violence remains a widespread and underreported problem in the Philippines. While government policy has designated Women and Children Protection Units (WCPUs) as the frontline service-delivery mechanism for survivors, only 162 WCPUs and VAWC desks exist nationwide, and the absence of a dedicated financing mechanism has left many facilities without the staff, commodities, and services survivors need. 

This brief recommends that PhilHealth develop a dedicated GBV benefit package, anchored to Level III WCPU accreditation standards, to close this financing gap and incentivize the nationwide expansion of quality, one-stop-shop care for survivors.