President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday highlighted his administration’s commitment to universal healthcare during his visit to the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac, Ilocos Norte, where he underscored the implementation of the zero balance billing policy.
Dr. Jose B. Orosa III, Chief of Medical Professional Staff II and other hospital staff and patients, welcomed President Marcos, who visited the Oncology, Internal Medicine, and Family Medicine wards and witnessed the discharge of patients covered by zero balance billing policy.
Among the beneficiaries include a 21-year-old who was treated for severe leptospirosis, a 74-year-old who suffered multiple conditions such as metabolic encephalopathy and chronic anemia, and a 56-year-old who completed treatment for post-infectious parkinsonism and meningitis.
President Marcos also visited the Kangaroo Mother Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Units, emphasizing his administration’s focus on maternal, child, and critical healthcare services.
According to Dr. Orosa, more than 400 in-patients at the hospital are expected to benefit from the zero balance billing policy on September 28, 2025.
A total of 61,524 patients have already benefited from the program under the Marcos administration with hospitalization costs amounting to P1.43 billion fully covered.
To extend direct support, the Office of the President distributed 2,076 meals to patients, guardians, and hospital staff, with additional meals set aside for new admissions and volunteers.
The provincial government of Ilocos Norte also provided 1,800 food packs, while the Office of House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos distributed 750 sacks of 10-kilo rice to patients and their families.
The Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, a premier government tertiary hospital in Northern Luzon, plays a vital role in providing specialized and accessible healthcare services to Ilocanos and nearby provinces.
