No frills, just service: PBBM marks birthday at Valenzuela med center

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

Sa kanyang ika-68 na kaarawan, binisita ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., kasama ang First Family, ang Valenzuela Medical Center upang saksihan ang pagpapatupad ng Zero Balance Billing Program at tiyaking makatatanggap ng serbisyong pangkalusugan ang mga Pilipino, lalo na ang mahihirap at nangangailangan. (PCO Photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. marked his 68th birthday on Saturday in a modest yet meaningful way by visiting the Valenzuela Medical Center in Valenzuela City.

President Marcos was welcomed by healthcare workers and hospital staff holding banners with birthday greetings, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

Marcos personally checked the implementation of the zero balance billing (ZBB) policy, which aims to ensure that Filipinos, particularly the poor and vulnerable, can access affordable and quality healthcare.

Under the ZBB, patients in Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals no longer need to pay for medical services, medicines or doctors’ professional fees.

DOH data showed that daily average admissions in its hospitals increased to 4,067 from 3,297 after the policy’s announcement.

The President also toured the hospital’s key facilities, including the pediatric ward, Kangaroo Mother Care unit for preterm and low birthweight infants, and surgery section.

The PCO said Marcos also witnessed the settlement of the medical bills of three VMC patients, amounting to over PHP3.5 million, through the Bayad na Bill Mo Program.

The three beneficiaries were Delia Paaño, 75, who is battling acute respiratory failure and incurred a hospital bill of over PHP1.8 million; Johnny Mercado, diagnosed with sepsis, with a bill of over PHP1.1 million; and a newborn whose medical expenses amounted to over PHP610,000.

The President was joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their son, Joseph Simon Marcos.

Later, Mrs. Marcos took to Facebook to greet her husband.

“Happy birthday to my partner in everything.

So grateful for every laugh, every adventure and every moment we share. Love you to the moon and back!!” she posted.