House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Saturday expressed strong support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s “zero-billing” initiative, a healthcare program offering free medical services at 22 public hospitals nationwide.
Launched on the President’s 67th birthday on Sept. 13, the program is a significant step toward making healthcare accessible to all Filipinos, Romualdez said.
“The zero-billing program reflects the President’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that no Filipino is left behind in receiving medical care,” Romualdez said.
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The initiative, funded by the Department of Health (DOH) with a P328 million allocation, covers inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services, along with drugs, medicines, chemotherapy, dialysis, dental services, and laboratory procedures in key hospitals across the country.
“This program relieves Filipinos, especially those in vulnerable communities, from the burden of costly medical services,” Romualdez said.
The initiative is implemented in eight major hospitals in the National Capital Region, including the National Kidney and Transplant Institute and the Philippine General Hospital, as well as 14 hospitals across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“This broad coverage shows the administration’s genuine concern for the health and welfare of Filipinos in every region,” Romualdez added, pledging his full support for the program and its expansion.
Romualdez also noted that the initiative is just the beginning as the government continues to explore ways to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all Filipinos.
“As we celebrate the President’s birthday, we also celebrate his leadership and deep care for the Filipino people,” Romualdez said.