More than one million Filipinos have benefited from the government’s zero-balance hospital billing policy in just four months, Malacañang announced Wednesday, underscoring President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the initiative is a direct result of the president’s directive to strengthen public health services nationwide.

“As part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s campaign to further improve healthcare in the country, more than 1,078,000 patients have been assisted through the Department of Health’s (DoH) zero-balance billing program in just four months,” Castro said during a press briefing.

Marcos first highlighted the policy during his fourth State of the Nation Address on 28 July, saying that the government aims to ease the financial burden on patients by ensuring they no longer need to pay out-of-pocket fees in Department of Health hospitals.

Under the zero-balance billing policy, patients admitted to basic or ward accommodations in DoH-identified hospitals receive full coverage for their medical expenses.

Castro cited that the DoH, under Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, continues to implement the policy across all DoH hospitals to ensure the public receives maximum health benefits without financial strain.

She stressed that the administration remains steadfast in keeping hospital services accessible, particularly for vulnerable Filipinos who rely on public healthcare facilities, and will continue expanding programs that improve healthcare delivery.