THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Tuesday announced the release of P10.377 billion to support the nationwide expansion of the government’s Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) program, aimed at reducing the financial burden of hospitalization on Filipino families.
“No Filipino should have to choose between getting the medical care they need and protecting their family from a hospital bill they cannot afford,” Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon said in a statement.
The funds will cover ZBB implementation in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals nationwide, along with six pilot hospitals operated by local government units (LGUs).
Of the total funds, P9.377 billion will support ZBB implementation in DOH hospitals across the country.
Some P3.342 billion will be allocated to DOH hospitals in Metro Manila, including Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, Jose R. 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, and Tondo Medical Center.
The remaining P6.035 billion will go to DOH regional hospitals and other government health facilities outside Metro Manila.
The DBM has also released P1 billion for ZBB implementation in six pilot LGU hospitals in Benguet, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Aklan, and Sarangani.
The P10.377-billion funding will be charged against the DOH budget under the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
The ZBB program forms part of the government’s Universal Health Care efforts to reduce Filipinos’ out-of-pocket medical expenses, particularly for patients relying on government hospitals.
Under the program, eligible patients admitted to participating government hospitals may receive covered health services with minimal or no remaining hospital bill, subject to program guidelines and eligibility requirements.
Earlier in August, the DBM separately released P1.855 billion in additional funding to the Philippine General Hospital, of which P800 million was earmarked for ZBB implementation.
