MANILA, Feb. 23 -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has increased its "Z-benefit" package for breast cancer patients from PHP100,000 to PHP1.4 million.

PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. said Friday the increase has been approved and is on top of the 30-percent increase in all PhilHealth benefits.

"[Breast cancer] is really very common with everyone. So that's 14 times, 1,400 percent increase. I think that's just one of the accomplishments that can put a smile on the face of the Filipino people," he said in a press conference in Pasig City.

Z-benefit packages are services and rates for "Case Type Z" or catastrophic illnesses that could result in prolonged hospitalization and poor out...