MANILA — Senator Bam Aquino urged the government to increase funding for its Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) program to ensure more Filipinos benefit from free hospitalization.

During the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing on the 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) reported that P20 billion is required to implement ZBB for qualified beneficiaries, including indigent individuals, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens.

Aquino said the amount was insufficient to meet the program’s full potential.

“I find 20 billion relatively low, because kung 20 billion lang po iyan, that means we could have achieved it maybe three or four years ago,” he said.

The senator emphasized that ZBB should not only cater to a limited group but must become a reliable option for ordinary Filipinos.

“Nais nating malaman, yung zero balance billing, not just for a sliver of our society, pero yun talagang maasahan ng mga Pilipino na pupunta ako sa ospital… may option for me na hindi ako magbabayad ng kahit piso sa aking healthcare,” Aquino added.

He then urged agencies to submit a more comprehensive funding proposal to expand coverage to other critical sectors of society.

“Magkano ba ang kailangan para iyong karamihan ng Pilipino kayang makaranas ng zero balance billing sa mga hospital natin? Maybe what we will slash from other budgets will be enough to fund that,” he said.

Aquino also proposed creating a clear roadmap to universal ZBB access within three to five years.

Earlier, the senator signaled his intent to realign portions of the proposed P270-billion flood control budget for 2026 toward education and healthcare.