More than P10.3 billion has been approved for the government’s Zero Balance Billing program to help patients in public hospitals avoid the burden of hospital bills.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the funding following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ease the financial burden of Filipinos seeking medical treatment.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said P9.3 billion of the total allocation will go to Department of Health (DOH) hospitals nationwide.
Around P3.3 billion of this will support DOH hospitals in Metro Manila, while P6 billion will go to regional DOH hospitals and other health facilities.
Another P1 billion has been released for six pilot local government hospitals in Benguet, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Aklan and Sarangani.
Castro said the additional funding would allow more patients to receive treatment without worrying about hospital bills.
“Alinsunod pa rin sa mithiin ng Pangulo, tinitiyak ng pondo na direktang mararamdaman ng taong-bayan ang tulong ng bayan,” Castro said.
She said the move is part of Marcos’ effort to bring government services closer to Filipinos.
“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, hindi dapat maging hadlang ang pinansyal na pasanin sa pagpapagaling,” Castro said.
The Zero Balance Billing program is being expanded beyond DOH-run hospitals to include selected LGU hospitals, allowing patients to access the assistance closer to their homes.IMT
