TO cap his birthday activities, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. brought joy to many as he visited Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC) on Saturday to check on the implementation of the government’s zero balance billing policy, or the Bayad na Bill Mo program.
The zero balance billing policy implemented in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals, ensures that patients admitted to ward or basic accommodation services do not incur out-of-pocket expenses for their treatment.
Upon his arrival at VMC, the President was warmly welcomed by hospital staff members holding banners with birthday greetings.
Accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and presidential son, Joseph Simon, the President toured several key facilities of the hospital, including the pediatric ward, the Kangaroo Mother Care ward, and the surgery section.
During the visit, the President witnessed how the Bayad na Bill Mo program cleared out three patients’ medical bills totaling over PhP3.5 million.
The three beneficiaries were Delia Paaño, 75, who is battling with acute respiratory failure and incurred a hospital bill of over PhP1.8 million; Johnny Mercado, diagnosed with sepsis, whose hospital bill reached over PhP1.1 million; and a newborn named Prince Ibrahim Arbolado with a medical bill amounting to more than PhP610,000.
Launched in August, the zero balance billing policy has already benefited thousands of Filipinos nationwide.
In his latest podcast, President Marcos reaffirmed the sustainability of the program, stressing that public funds are meant to provide vital health services.
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