(AseanAll) — On August 4,2026, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro signed the diplomatic notes pertaining to the Government of Japan’s loan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the Build Universal Health Care Program (Subprogram 3) (Emergency Support).
The Japanese loan for the BUHC3, amounting to JPY 30 Billion (approximately PHP 11.54 Billion or USD 187.92 Million), is targeted to address key reforms areas on sustainable financing and strategic purchasing for Universal Healthcare (UHC), integrated delivery of quality health services, and information management and performance accountability for UHC. The project is being implemented and co-financed by the Asian Development Bank.
The BUHC 3 aims to improve equitable access to quality health services that are also responsive to gender-specific health concerns and the health impacts of climate change. It follows through the achievements of Subprogram 1, implemented from January 2019 to May 2021 with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Subprogram 2, implemented from July 2021 to September 2023, which was co-financed by ADB, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and JICA.
