DOH releases new guidelines for MAIFIP program

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February 28, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health has issued new guidelines for the controversial Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) Program.

In Administrative Order 2026-0031, the DOH said that pursuant to Republic Act 12314, or the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, it will continue the implementation of the MAIFIP program.

The agency designated the Malasakit Program Office (MPO) as the body responsible for the overall management and administration of MAIFIP.

“The MPO shall establish linkages and networks with health facilities through the Medical Assistance Unit in Centers for Health Development (CHD) and Ministry of Health-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to provide efficient coordination necessary for MAIFIP program implementation,” the DOH said.

The department added that the MPO, through its Financial Management Service, will facilitate the efficient sub-allotment and transfer of MAIFIP funds to CHDs and health facilities.

The MPO, which operates under the DOH, manages Malasakit Centers – one-stop shops in government hospitals that provide medical and financial assistance to indigent patients.

Under the new guidelines, the designated approving authority for MAIFIP funds is the CHD director or a duly authorized representative, with a maximum approval limit of P1.5 million per transaction.

The cluster head of the MPO may approve up to P2 million per transaction, while the secretary of health or a designated chief of staff or head executive assistant may approve amounts exceeding P2 million.

The program covers a wide range of medical services, including inpatient care, ophthalmology services, drugs and medicines approved by the Food and Drug Administration and professional fees.

Citing the Universal Health Care Act (Republic Act 11223), the DOH said MAIFIP supports the goal of ensuring equitable access to quality and affordable health care for all Filipinos while providing financial protection.

Earlier, the DOH said the updated MAIFIP guidelines seek to enforce the ban on guarantee letters issued by elected public officials to cover patients’ hospital bills, as provided under the 2026 GAA.

Anomalies

The release of the new guidelines came as a lawmaker urged health authorities to look into alleged irregularities in the implementation of zero-balance billing, the Anti-Hospital Detention Act and the MAIFIP program.

Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes called on the DOH, PhilHealth, three DOH-run tertiary hospitals and a private hospital to address hardships allegedly experienced by senior citizens seeking medical care.

In a privilege speech, Ordanes said his office received complaints involving the Philippine Heart Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) and the Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services Cooperative.

He cited alleged anomalies in the implementation of the Anti-Hospital Detention Act (RA 9439) at the Sorsogon hospital and the Philippine Heart Center, zero-balance billing at the Philippine Heart Center and Veterans Memorial Medical Center and the use of guarantee letters under the MAIFIP program at the NKTI.

“There are senior citizens who are clearly medically treated and were allowed by the doctor to go home, but continuously disallowed discharge from the hospital because they lack money to pay. There are also cases where a dead patient was not discharged from the hospital for the same reason,” Ordanes said.

“One of the complaints that our office received is the case of a senior citizen who has been a patient of the Sorsogon Medical Mission Group Hospital and Health Services Cooperative,” he added. “We also discovered an incident where the Philippine Heart Center has not granted admission and discharged a patient, even as the family is ready to give collateral.”

Ordanes urged the DOH and PhilHealth to ensure that hospitals, whether public or private, follow proper discharge protocols and do not prevent senior citizens from leaving due to unpaid bills and to strictly monitor the use of guarantee letters issued to patients. — Jose Rodel Clapano