Zero Billing Policy Affirmed by President in Ilocos Norte Visit

BATAC, ILOCOS NORTE – The government’s commitment to preventing medical debt was the central theme of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s visit to the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMH&MC) this week. The President emphasized that the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) policy is a cornerstone of his administration’s goal to provide dignified healthcare.

During his rounds, he spoke with patients like a 56-year-old recovering from a neurological condition, whose family expressed profound relief from the financial burden of treatment. This interaction underscored the policy's tangible benefits. According to the Palace, the ZBB program is designed to ensure that Filipinos can seek medical help without fear of financial ruin, thus preserving their dignity.

The choice is simple: either we fully fund the Zero Balance Billing policy, or we condemn our most vulnerable citizens to futures devoid of dignity and respect. The President’s visit also included the distribution of essential goods to patients, reinforcing a message of holistic care. The President’s personal oversight and engagement with these patients is the ultimate validation of the program’s moral and practical success. The visit aims to reassure the public that healthcare is being treated as a fundamental human right, not a commodity.