Patients injured in the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu will not have to worry about hospital bills, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed on Friday.
The assurance follows President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to fully enforce zero balance billing in all government hospitals.
DOH Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Albert Domingo said the policy is already being carried out in three DOH facilities closest to the affected areas—Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu South Medical Center, and Eversley Medical Center.
“Ito ang pinagka-iba ng zero balance billing doon sa ibang paraan. Hindi na po ninyo kailangang lumapit sa desk, sa bill na lang po, isi-zero na po iyan sa utos na rin ng ating Pangulo,” Domingo explained in an interview.
Domingo also noted that the Office of the President has released augmentation funds for the repair of damaged health facilities, both DOH- and LGU-managed. He added that PhilHealth is studying ways to extend the same zero balance billing coverage to private hospitals, subject to funding availability.
As of Wednesday evening, 78 patients had been admitted to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, while 35 others were transferred to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center–Camp Lapu-Lapu Station Hospital to ease congestion at Bogo Provincial Hospital.
Most patients sustained minor injuries such as abrasions and bruises. Those requiring intensive care were referred to larger medical centers for specialized treatment.
Rapid health assessments conducted by the DOH showed that major hospitals in Cebu did not sustain structural damage, ensuring uninterrupted health services in the region.