Magalong disputes DoH claim on guarantee letters

BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has pushed back against claims by Department of Health (DoH) Secretary Ted Herbosa that patients no longer need guarantee letters from politicians to ease their hospital bills.

Herbosa earlier said that such letters are no longer necessary, citing the full rollout of the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) policy. The program is meant to ensure that indigent patients in DoH-run hospitals pay nothing out of pocket for basic services. He also pointed to “anti-epal” provisions in the 2026 General Appropriations Act, which bar elected officials from personally distributing medical assistance in an effort to curb patronage politics.

But Magalong said that, at least in Baguio, that is not how things work on the ground.

According to the mayor, the Baguio City government remains a crucial partner of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC). He said the city continues to issue guarantee letters because national health programs do not always cover the full cost of treatment, leaving many patients with unpaid balances.

“It’s really important to correct the statement of DoH Secretary Ted Herbosa that guarantee letters are no longer needed in DoH hospitals,” Magalong said. “Based on our experience here in Baguio, that simply isn’t true.”

Magalong explained that the city keeps complete records of all guarantee letters issued to help residents pay their hospital bills. He stressed that while national policies are well-intentioned, they do not always reflect the realities faced by patients and hospitals.

“There are serious problems in our healthcare services,” the mayor said. “We need to present the truth and the actual situation in hospitals so these problems can be addressed properly.”

Magalong’s remarks highlight the continuing gap between policy and practice, especially in local hospitals that still rely heavily on LGU support to keep medical care accessible for patients who cannot afford rising healthcare costs.