By Brian Campued
At least 2,100,177 patients nationwide have benefitted from the zero-balance billing (ZBB) policy implemented by the Department of Health (DOH) as of March 31, 2026.
According to the DOH, the data covered a total of P134.88 billion in hospital bills of patients admitted to basic accommodation in DOH hospitals.
To recall, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., in his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, 2025, reiterated that the government should ease the burden on Filipinos by eliminating out-of-pocket expenses when availing public health services.
In line with the President’s directive to bring health care services closer to Filipinos, especially for indigent and financially vulnerable patients, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa had met with Department of Budget (DBM) Secretary Rolando Toledo on May 6 to discuss how the government can strengthen the ZBB.
Hospitals in local government units with Universal Health Care (UHC) Integration Sites and those eligible for Health Care Provider Network contracting, in particular, were the areas of improvement identified by DOH and DBM.
“Both agencies also looked into strengthening the manpower support for other DOH flagship programs to ensure the efficient delivery of essential health care services to all Filipinos,” the Budget department said in a social media post Monday.
The ZBB policy is part of the government’s push for universal health care, as mandated by Republic Act No. 11223 or the UHC Act.
Faster medical aid delivery for poor, and middle class
The President has also ordered the improvement of the implementation of the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients Program (MAIFIP) through maximizing the use of technology.
In a meeting with Herbosa and DOH officials on May 8, Executive Secretary Ralph Recto cited issues encountered by the public when availing MAIFIP, such as long queues, repetitive requirements, and excessive paperwork in accessing medical assistance.
“Bilin ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos [Jr.] na kung may tulong ang gobyerno, dapat makarating ito nang mabilis, maayos, at hindi pahirapan ang mga tao,” Exec. Sec. Recto said.
“Ang access ang sukatan ng tunay na serbisyo. Dahil kung ang proseso mismo ang nagiging hadlang, kahit may pondo, hindi rin ito mararamdaman ng tao.”
He also stressed that the MAIFIP program must benefit not only the poor but also middle-class families.
MAIFIP provides financial assistance to cover medical expenses of eligible applicants, including indigent patients and financially incapable individuals.
-jpv
