President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday granted P5 million in financial assistance for the upgrade of the Cebu Provincial Hospital (CPH) in Balamban municipality and led the distribution of essential medical equipment and medicines to strengthen healthcare services across the province.

The President said the assistance reflects his administration’s commitment to improving access to reliable healthcare, especially in far-flung and underserved communities.

Apart from the P5 million assistance from the Office of the President, CPH–Balamban received 20 wheelchairs and P60,000 worth of medicines from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Other provincial hospitals also benefited from the initiative. CPH branches in Bogo City and Danao City, the Daanbantayan District Hospital, and the Juan B. Dosado Memorial Hospital were each provided with an X-ray machine and an ultrasound machine to enhance diagnostic services.

During his visit, President Marcos toured several hospital facilities and observed the implementation of the zero balance billing policy under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), which aims to ensure that patients are not charged additional fees for covered services.

As of 14 January, around 120 patients are admitted at CPH–Balamban.

Under the proposed 2026 national budget, P17.39 billion has been allocated for the zero balance billing program. While the policy currently applies to basic and ward accommodation services in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa earlier announced that PhP1 billion will be allotted this year to extend zero balance billing to select secondary and tertiary local government unit (LGU) hospitals.

The President is also set to launch the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program in Cebu, which seeks to further expand access to essential medicines for Cebuanos.

In an interview, CPH–Balamban Chief of Hospital Dr. Olivia A. Dandan said the newly distributed equipment would greatly benefit patients, particularly those affected by past earthquakes in the province.

Dandan also expressed gratitude to President Marcos for personally visiting the hospital, noting that it was the first time in the institution’s history that a sitting President had inspected its facilities.

“Nagpapasalamat din kami sa kanya para ‘yung oras para personal na makita at suriin ang aming hospital. Hindi lang sa salita but mayroon siyang ginawa,” she said.