President Marcos has visited the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac, Ilocos Norte, where he underscored the continued implementation of the zero balance billing policy.

During his visit on Sunday, Sept. 28, Marcos dropped by the Oncology, Internal Medicine, and Family Medicine wards where he witnessed the discharge of patients covered by zero-balance billing policy.

Among the patients who benefited from policy were 21-year-old patient from Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, who was treated for severe leptospirosis; a 74-year-old patient from Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, who received treatment for multiple conditions including metabolic encephalopathy and anemia of chronic disease; and a 56-year-old man from Piddig, Ilocos Norte, who completed treatment for post-infectious parkinsonism and meningitis.

The President also visited the Kangaroo Mother Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Units, emphasizing his administration’s focus on maternal, child, and critical healthcare services.

According to Dr. Jose Orosa III, chief of Medical Professional Staff II, more than 400 in-patients at the hospital are expected to benefit from the zero-balance billing policy on Sunday alone.

Orosa added that a total of 61,524 patients have already benefited from the program, with hospitalization costs amounting to P1.43 billion fully covered.

During the President's visit, the Office of the President distributed 2,076 meals to patients, guardians, and hospital staff, with additional meals set aside for new admissions and volunteers.  

The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center is a premier government tertiary hospital in Northern Luzon. It  plays a vital role in providing specialized and accessible healthcare services to Ilocanos and nearby provinces.