By Brian Campued
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P1.855 billion in additional funding to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), including P800 million for the zero balance billing program, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to continue prioritizing healthcare and essential public services designed to ease the medical expenses of Filipino families.
In a news release Wednesday, DBM Secretary Kim Robert De Leon noted that despite limited fiscal space, the government must ensure that receiving “medical care does not become a financial crisis” for those who need it.
“Kapag may nagkasakit sa pamilya, ang unang dapat isipin ay pagpapagaling, hindi kung saan kukuha ng pambayad sa ospital,” Sec. de Leon said.
“Our fiscal space may be limited, but when lives and essential health services are at stake, the government must find the resources and make them count. The President’s direction is clear: we must protect the services that Filipinos need most,” he added.
Of the additional funding, around P1.040 billion will support the provision of medical services at PGH while P15 million will be provided for the treatment of Dystonia-Parkinsonism or Lubag Syndrome, ensuring that critical services, including specialized treatment, are sustained.
Meanwhile, the additional P800 million allocation for the zero balance billing will support PGH’s implementation of the zero balance billing, consistent with Republic Act 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, and applicable guidelines.
As a national university hospital and one of the country’s premier public referral hospitals, PGH handles patients requiring a broad range of medical services, including complex and specialized cases referred from across the country.
“Every peso we release for health must ultimately reach the patient. This P1.855 billion is not simply additional funding on paper—it means more resources for treatment, less financial pressure on families, and continued support for patients who depend on PGH for critical and specialized care,” the Budget chief said.
-jpv
