The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is intensifying its support for the national government’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare by encouraging private medical entrepreneurs to utilize the capital market for their expansion and modernization needs.
On November 25, the Commission hosted a landmark conference titled “SEC HOPES: Streamlining Capital Market Access for the Philippine Healthcare Industry.” The event aimed to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and the financial resources necessary to scale their operations.
Central to this initiative is the Securing and Expanding Capital for Hospital Entrepreneurs (SEC HOPES) program. Established under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 11, Series of 2017, the program simplifies the often complex process of registering securities.
By utilizing a Simplified Registration Statement (SRS), the SEC has significantly reduced the barriers to entry for medical institutions:
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Faster Processing: The review period for hospital securities is shortened to just 28 days, down from the standard 45-day cycle.
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Direct Funding: The program allows hospitals to efficiently raise funds for the construction of new facilities and the purchase of advanced medical equipment. “The financing needs of the healthcare sector continue to grow, whether in expanding capacity, upgrading facilities, adopting new technologies, or improving service delivery,” said SEC Chairperson Francis Lim. “Public and private investments must complement each other to ensure that Filipinos across the country gain access to safe, modern, and adequate health facilities.”
The push for capital market participation comes at a critical time for Philippine infrastructure. Data from the Department of Health’s (DOH) Development Plan reveals a significant gap in healthcare capacity:
| Metric | Current Status | Target Ratio |
| Hospital Bed-to-Population | 0.5 beds per 1,000 | 2.7 beds per 1,000 |
As of December 2025, the SEC HOPES program has already seen significant traction. The Commission has registered 18 private hospitals, representing total registered shares of ₱19.95 billion and a total issue value of ₱17.05 billion.
The conference featured technical sessions led by Commissioner McJill Bryant T. Fernandez and experts from the SEC’s regulation, audit, and accounting departments. These sessions provided a roadmap for hospital administrators to navigate registration requirements transparently and efficiently.
“By providing hospitals with the ability to raise funds efficiently, we empower them to modernize facilities and bring quality care closer to communities that need it most,” Chairperson Lim concluded.
