President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday announced that patients admitted to Department of Health (DoH)-accredited public hospitals will no longer have to pay their medical bills under a fully implemented zero-balance billing system.

“This is now in effect — zero-balance billing. It’s free,” Marcos declared during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SoNA). “For a basic accommodation in DoH hospitals, patients no longer have to pay anything. The bills are fully covered.”

Marcos said the policy builds on the government’s effort to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for public hospital patients. He acknowledged the struggles many face, including having to buy their own medicines and supplies or look for help to cover their hospital expenses.

“With the support of PhilHealth, government medical assistance funds like MAIFIP, PCSO, and PAGCOR, and the additional funding to DoH hospitals—we’ve ensured that all costs are addressed at the hospital level,” he said. “There will be no need to go elsewhere or ask anyone for help.”

Expanded access, health services

For the first time, Marcos said, every municipality and city in the country now has a doctor.

Since 2022, the administration has increased the number of public hospitals and specialty centers. One major addition is the rollout of Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers, now numbering 53 across 32 provinces.

“These centers offer free checkups, lab tests, X-rays, and more,” he said, adding that more centers will open soon. BUCAS centers, under the DoH, are designed to provide urgent outpatient care—especially in remote and underserved areas—and serve as extensions of DoH hospitals.

Mental health, child services, immunization

Marcos also emphasized the administration’s effort to prioritize youth mental health. He cited rising cases of depression and bullying among students and promised that more school counselors would be hired to support them.

To support early childhood development, the President said ₱1 billion has been allocated for the construction of over 300 Barangay Child Development and “Bulilit” Centers, especially in the poorest areas.

“That’s just the beginning,” he said. “We will gradually address the severe shortage of daycare centers, a problem that’s been unresolved since 1990.”

A study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies estimates that the country needs 96,000 daycare centers but currently has only around 63,000.

Marcos also ordered the DoH to strengthen its routine immunization program, aiming to reach a 95-percent full immunization rate among children. Currently, only 61 percent of eligible children are fully immunized.

Under the newly launched YAKAP Caravan program, the government will provide free medical checkups, lab tests, including cancer screening, and free medicines for both students and teachers.

“This is how we reaffirm our commitment to the health and well-being of every Filipino,” Marcos said.