The Department of Health (DOH) wrapped up today its 4th Public Consultation on the drafting of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 11223 otherwise known as Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. This collaborative dialogue that catered to Regions VI, VII and VIII was held at the Bai Hotel, Mandaue City on July 10-11, 2019. It aimed to clarify provisions of the law and seek inputs for the UHC IRR.

Upon signing of the law by President Rodrigo Duterte last February, the DOH was tasked to draft the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the said Act within 180 days after its enactment into law which will define its operationalization.

“To ensure that 106 million Filipinos in 7000+ islands benefit from the UHC reform the soonest, we need to make sure that first, Filipinos know what to expect, and second, the implementers (health care providers, managers, and stewards) have a clear idea of how to implement this gargantuan task. This is only possible if we have Implementing Rules and Regulation that provide utmost CLARITY on all sections of the law.” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III commented.

He added that it is essential to make the process of drafting the IRR inclusive so we can hear the voices of the public and the different sectors of the society. Universal Health Care is for all Filipino people and it is just right that we ensure that its implementation will address the real sentiments of the people.

The drafting of the IRR is a collective effort of all stakeholders, hence the process should be as inclusive calling for public involvement across the country. All the different players, especially the public, will be heard because it is truly for the Filipino people.

Representatives from various public and private organizations, as well as representatives from the academia and thought leaders, were consulted in coming up with this draft. The public is welcome to provide comments on the draft copy of the IRR which can be accessed in the official DOH website through this link:https://bit.ly/2RbXua7. Partners and stakeholders may also contact the UHC IRR Secretariat at [email protected]

Previous consultations were done in Baguio City (for Regions I, II and CAR); Quezon City (for NCR and Region III) and Manila City (for Regions IV-A, IV-B and V). The public consultation that was concluded today has been the fourth in the series of public consultations done for the drafting of the IRR of the UHC Law. The 5th and 6th Public Consultation will be held in Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City on July 18-19 and 25-26 respectively.