Manila, 30 April 2026 — The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Philippines, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, welcomes the expansion of maternity benefits under PhilHealth, announced by President Bongbong Marcos and set to take effect today, 30 April 2026.
The expanded benefits are a major step toward improving access to affordable and quality maternal healthcare nationwide, especially as financial barriers continue to prevent many women from seeking timely care. The policy applies across both public and private health facilities, ensuring equal coverage regardless of where a woman gives birth. It is expected to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and, in some cases, eliminate them entirely.
UNFPA, with Health Systems Insight (HSI) and ADB, supported PhilHealth in the recosting of the Maternal Care Package. This included expert consultations, facility costing, provider mapping, as well as studies on the full cost of maternal care to ensure benefit packages reflect real service delivery costs.The expansion of the benefit package aligns with global and DOH standards for eight (8) prenatal visits and four (4) postnatal visits, and postpartum counseling for family planning.
Ms.Neus Bernabeu, UNFPA Country Representative, recognized this as a critical step towards saving mothers’ lives. “The expansion of benefits signals the Philippines’ strong commitment to meeting the global SDG target of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.” Ms. Bernabeu added, “for many mothers, the cost of pregnancy can be a major concern— from laboratory tests and prenatal check-ups to the expenses of childbirth and postnatal care. Expanding these benefits helps ease that burden and supports women in accessing the care they need throughout pregnancy and beyond.”
UNFPA is working closely with the Government of the Philippines, healthcare providers, and civil society organizations to ensure that the expanded benefit package translates into improved access and quality of maternal care, critical to reducing preventable maternal deaths and ensuring that no woman is left behind, especially those in vulnerable and underserved communities.
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