MANILA – At least 14,000 patients in two Department of Health (DOH) hospitals have so far benefited from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Bayad na Bill Mo” program less than a month since its launch.

Marcos announced the zero balance billing policy during his fourth State of the Nation Address on July 28. The program is currently implemented in the basic or ward accommodation of 87 DOH hospitals nationwide.

According to the DOH, about 12,000 patients at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City and 2,400 patients at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City have had their medical bills fully covered by the government.

Marcos personally visited EVMC on Monday and EAMC on Tuesday to check the program’s rollout. “So, I’m happy to be able to report that the zero billing program is proceeding well,” the President said after speaking with patients and hospital staff.

He also urged the public to spread the word so more patients will seek medical treatment without fear of high costs. “Kaya ikalat ninyo ito, word of mouth… ipaalam natin sa lahat ng tao para hindi na sila nagdadalawang-isip na magpatingin, magpagamot, at magpagaling,” Marcos said.

The initiative is funded through the Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), and allocations to DOH hospitals, on top of support from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).