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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos: Zero-balance billing program is succeeding

Marcos: Zero-balance billing program is succeeding

Published Aug 19, 2025 01:08 pm
President Marcos said the zero-balance billing policy in all Department of Health (DOH) hospitals in the country is "proceeding well," citing that it has benefitted over 14,000 patients since its implementation.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visits the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City on Aug. 19, 2025 to oversee the implementation of the zero-balance billing program in the hospital. (Photo courtesy of PPA)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visits the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City on Aug. 19, 2025 to oversee the implementation of the zero-balance billing program in the hospital. (Photo courtesy of PPA)
"So I'm happy to be able to report that the zero-billing program is proceeding well," Marcos said in an interview during his visit at the East Avenue Medical Center on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
"Siyempre sa umpisa, information drive, hindi lamang sa mga ospital kundi pati sa mga pasyente (Of course, in the beginning, we have to do informative drive no only to hospitals but also to patients), and I think we are succeeding in that," Marcos added.
The President announced that since granting zero-balance billing to all DOH hospitals nationwide during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, 14,000 patients have benefited from the program.
"Doon sa pinaggalingan sa Eastern Visayas nag-12,000 na silang pasyente mula ng SONA. Dito dalawang libo na na (From where we came from in Eastern Visayas, they have catered to 12,000 patients since SONA)," he said.
"So mabuti naman. At malaking bagay diyan kada ganito, word of mouth kasi yung mga ibang pasyente 'ah, wala kayong binabayad', 'ah, meron palang ganyang' (So, it's good. And word of mouth is a huge help because patients would start thinking 'ah, I don't have to pay for anything', 'ah, there is a program such this,')," he added.
According to DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, since the President announced the implementation of the zero-balance billing program dubber "Bayad na Bill Mo," DOH Eastern Visayas Medical Center has accommodated more than 12,000 patients while DOH East Avenue Medical Center has 2,400 patients who benefited from it.
The program, he said, is being implemented in 83 DOH hospitals in the country.
Meanwhile, Marcos also ordered the DOH to further disseminate information about the program to get more people to get themselves checked and treated.
"So, ikalat natin.Ipaalam natin sa lahat ng tao para hindi na sila nagdadalawang isip na magpatingin, magpagamot at magpagaling (So, let us spread the word. Let us make it known to everyone so they will no longer hesitate to have themselves checked, seek treatment, and recover)," the President said.
On Monday, the Chief Executive visited the Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban City, Leyte where he directed the DOH to ensure that the zero-balance billing policy is being implemented in all DOH hospitals in the country and reminded that DOH hospitals must know how to implement the policy.
READ MORE: Marcos to DOH: Ensure zero-balance billing is implemented

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President Marcos DOH hospitals zero balance billing East Avenue Medical Center
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