Marcos says zero balance billing 'proceeding well'

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Tuesday that the government's zero balance billing system has been ''proceeding well.''

"I'm happy to be able to report that the zero billing program is proceeding well. Siyempre sa umpisa, we have to do information drive, hindi lamang sa mga ospital kung hindi pati sa pasyente, and I think we are succeeding," Marcos said as he personally checked the implementation at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City.

(I'm happy to be able to report that the zero billing program is proceeding well. Of course, at first, we have to do information drive, not just in hospitals but among patients as well, and I think we are succeeding.)

He added that information about the zero balance billing system should be spread so other patients can benefit as well.

''Malaking bagay diyan eh ikalat niyo ito. Word of mouth kasi 'yung ibang mga pasyente sinasabi, 'Ay wala kayo binabayad, ah meron palang ganyan.' So, ikalat natin, paalam natin sa ibang tao para hindi na sila nagdadalawang-isip na magpatingin, magpagamot, at magpagaling," Marcos said.

(It's a huge thing if we spread this because some patients are saying that some have not paid anything when it comes to hospital expenses. So, let's spread this; let's inform others so they will not think twice about seeking medical attention.)

At the EAMC, a total of 18,818 inpatients in basic accommodation rooms were discharged from January to July 2025. All were discharged due to the zero balance billing system.

The total hospital bill amounted to P1,734,212,716.66, data from the Department of Health showed.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28, Marcos announced that the government would cover all expenses incurred by Filipinos at DOH hospitals.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa earlier said that patients must be admitted to the basic accommodation or ward for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to foot 100% of the bill.

The PhilHealth had said that they do not ask for any additional documentation from patients in DOH hospitals when availing zero balance billing.

On Monday, the President said that he wants to address the issues and challenges hounding the implementation of the zero balance billing system, including long lines at the DOH hospitals.

The DOH said that since Marcos' SONA, a total of 83 hospitals across the country have enforced the zero balance billing system.

More than 12,000 patients were catered to in the Eastern Visayas Medical Center and more than 2,400 in EAMC, the DOH added. —VBL, GMA Integrated News