The Department of Health (DoH) announced that the Senate included a P1 billion budget allocation in the Bicameral Conference Committee meeting to expand the “zero balance billing” policy to select local government unit (LGU) hospitals starting in 2026.

DoH spokesperson Albert Domingo confirmed the development, stating the agency was thankful for the Senate’s support in including the expansion.

“In last night’s discussion, it seems there will be a P1 billion allocation,” Domingo said in a radio interview on Sunday.

Domingo explained that with the P1 billion budget, the DoH could tap Level 3 LGU hospitals for the pilot program.

“The Bicam is not done yet. We are hoping that the allocation will increase, but if not, we can cover Level 3 hospitals of around six to eight provinces for zero balance billing,” he said.

The DoH is currently considering LGUs with strong public management and organized accounting systems, naming Sarangani, Laguna, Aklan, and Benguet as candidates, and also looking at Pampanga, Bataan and Quezon provinces.

Domingo cited that while P29 billion would be the ideal allocation for the program, the DoH is content with the P1 billion to pilot test the expansion by 2026.

The zero balance billing policy, which ensures patients admitted to basic ward accommodations have 100 percent of their bills covered by PhilHealth, has already benefited more than 1,078,000 Filipinos in DoH hospitals in the last four months, according to Malacañang.