A sharp increase in discretionary medical assistance funds has triggered a fresh debate in the Bicameral Conference Committee (Bicam) on the 2026 national budget, even as lawmakers approved a major expansion of school feeding programs that backers say directly addresses hunger, health and food security.

Senator JV Ejercito raised the alarm over the proposed increase in the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), which ballooned to P51.6 billion in the bicameral version from P24.23 billion under the National Expenditure Program (NEP).

In a manifestation submitted to the bicameral panel, Ejercito warned that the hike risks weakening the country’s push for universal healthcare by reinforcing what he described as politically mediated access to medical aid.

“This counters the goal of strengthening systemic, universal coverage under the Universal Health Care Act,” Ejercito said. “It risks trading higher PhilHealth participation in hospital bills, lower out-of-pocket expenses, and even the dignity of patients for political patronage.”

“This is not what we envisioned when we crafted the UHC Act,” he added. “The government is obligated to have a healthy population.”

Ejercito, who was unable to attend the Bicam deliberations due to illness, urged lawmakers to reconsider the increase and instead channel the funds directly to PhilHealth as the first payor of healthcare expenses or to hospitals implementing zero-balance billing.

“Let’s give the fund straight to the health system, hospitals, and patients,” he said. “Filipinos should not have to beg to access basic health services.”

While the MAIFIP drew scrutiny, the bicameral panel on Saturday night approved a nearly P1-trillion allocation for the Department of Education, including a substantial boost to the school-based feeding program.

The program’s budget was increased to P25.7 billion, more than double the P11.7 billion proposed under the National Expenditure Program.

The expansion was pushed by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who said the additional funding would extend the feeding from 120 to 200 school days, including 30 days of milk feeding.

Coverage will continue for Kindergarten to Grade 1 learners and will be expanded to include Grade 2 to Grade 6 pupils classified as wasted or severely wasted.