By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
With healthcare among the government’s top priorities, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) continues to reaffirm its commitment to uplift this sector.
In a media release, the DBM approved the release of P10.37 billion to the Department of Health (DOH) to support the implementation of the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) program.
The funds will be allocated towards reducing out-of-pocket health expenses for patients in basic accommodation in DOH hospitals, thus making Universal Health Care accessible for Filipinos, especially those who need assistance the most.
Of the total amount, P9.37 billion was approved to support the implementation of the ZBB Program in DOH hospitals across the country, with P3.34 billion allocated for DOH hospitals in Metro Manila:
- Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center
- Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital
- East Avenue Medical Center
- Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center
- National Center for Mental Health
- National Children’s Hospital
- Philippine Orthopedic Center
- Quirino Memorial Medical Center
- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine
- Rizal Medical Center
- San Lazaro Hospital
- Tondo Medical Center
The remaining P6.03 billion will then be used to support ZBB implementation in DOH regional hospitals and other government health facilities outside Metro Manila, thus broadening the nationwide scope of the program.
Meanwhile, the DBM facilitated the separate release of P1 billion to kick off the implementation of the ZBB program in six pilot LGU hospitals in Benguet, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Aklan, and Sarangani.
The funding is chargeable against the DOH budget under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, and forms the backbone of government interventions designed to ease the financial burden of hospitalization on patients and their families.
Acting DBM Secretary Kim Robert de Leon said in a statement, “Ang budget ng bayan ay dapat maramdaman ng mamamayan—lalo na sa panahong pinaka-kailangan nila ang gobyerno. Through Zero Balance Billing, we want more Filipino patients to focus on getting well, instead of worrying about how they will pay for their hospitalization.”
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