Marcos: Medical aid now online, no more guarantee letters

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, July 27, said Filipinos seeking medical assistance from the national government will no longer need to secure guarantee letters or seek endorsements from politicians.

During his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Marcos said patients can now apply for the Department of Health's Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program online through the eGovPH app and at Department of Health hospitals.

The president said patients now need to submit only two requirements to apply for medical assistance.

"Wala na ring GL-GL, kaya hindi na kailangan pumila o magmakaawa pa sa sinumang pulitiko," Marcos said.

(There's no more need for guarantee letters, so people no longer have to wait in line or beg politicians for help.)

He said the digital platform aims to simplify the application process by eliminating the need for guarantee letters and long queues at government offices.

Marcos also touted the growing adoption of the eGovPH app, saying more than 56 million Filipinos have downloaded and are using the platform.

He added that the MAIFIP program has already extended medical assistance to more than 8 million patients. — with a report from Cristina Chi