Help Reduce Cancer Burden in the Philippines through an Improved Cancer Financing Model

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Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines, yet the government's expenditures on cancer have been declining. In 2019, the Philippines enacted the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act and the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), which have the potential to transform cancer care in the country. However, the degree of their impact is yet unknown, given that their implementation is still in the early stages. This Policy Note maintains that oncology financing in the country requires systemic change, particularly in terms of benefit design, provider payments, and governance. It also argues that the UHC law and NICCA must be implemented effectively to mitigate the cancer burden and provide more equitable and rational access to cancer care.