The State of Health Infrastructure Investments in the Philippines and Assessment of the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP)

Valerie Gilbert T. Ulep, Aaron Carlos G. Manuel, Therese Jules P. Tomas, Danielle Lois M. Carreon and Louie Iyar L. Dagoy

No DP 2025-05, Discussion Papers from Philippine Institute for Development Studies

Abstract: The Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) is a capital investment grant administered by the Department of Health (DOH) to help local government units (LGUs) augment their health infrastructure, including primary healthcare facilities, hospitals, and equipment. Over the past decades, HFEP has accounted for approximately 12 percent of DOH's total budget. Despite its scale and more than a decade of implementation, systematic program evaluations remain limited. We used a mixed-methods approach to assess the different stages of program implementation: planning, budget allocation, execution, and monitoring and evaluation. At each stage, we identify critical challenges undermining the program’s effectiveness. Our findings reveal long-standing inequities in grant distribution, with some LGUs receiving national funding despite not being among those with the greatest need. This study aims to provide insights to inform supply-side reforms, ensuring a more equitable and efficient allocation of national resources in a highly decentralized health system. Comments on this paper are welcome within 60 days from the date of posting. Email publications@pids.gov.ph.

Keywords: Health Facilities Enhancement Program; health infrastructure; health capital expenditure; capital stock; health facilities; equipment; HEFP (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 65
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:phd:dpaper:dp_2025-05

DOI: 10.62986/dp2025.05

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