Tacloban: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday instructed the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure that all hospitals under its wing are well-versed in implementing the Zero Balance Billing hospitalization system for indigent patients. Speaking to reporters in this capital city of Leyte province, Marcos tasked DOH Secretary Ted Herbosa and Dr. Joseph Michael A. Jaro, medical center chief of the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC), to make the system work in all hospitals under their watch.

According to Philippines News Agency, Herbosa clarified that only those admitted to basic rooms inside DOH-managed hospitals are covered by the program. He said more than PHP80 billion in funds have been poured into DOH hospitals this year to carry out the program.

During his State of the Nation Address on July 28, the President said the program is funded by the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapable Patients, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., in addition to the regular budget allocation to DOH hospitals. It is also supplemented by financial support from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).

The visit included discussions with hospital officials, frontline healthcare workers, and patients to assess the program's impact. Rica Ligo from Alangalang town personally thanked the President. Her family was supposed to spend PHP406,973 for the treatment of her father, who sustained multiple stab wounds. Through the program, their hospital expenses were fully covered by the national government and PhilHealth.