PBBM hands over P5-M aid, medical equipment to Cebu hospitals

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

HOSPITAL VISIT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visits Cebu Provincial Hospital–Balamban, turning over PHP5 million in financial assistance, medical equipment, and medicines to support facility upgrades and patient care. Marcos also inspected hospital services, including the implementation of the Zero Balance Billing policy, and reaffirmed the government’s push to expand access to essential health services in Cebu. (Photo: Presidential Communications Office/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday provided PHP5 million in financial assistance for the facility upgrade of a provincial hospital in Cebu and led the turnover of medical equipment and medicines to other hospitals in the province.

Marcos oversaw the distribution of assistance during his visit to Cebu Provincial Hospital (CPH) in Balamban town, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

“Binisita kaninang umaga ng Pangulo ang Cebu Provincial Hospital-Balamban upang personal na ipaabot ang PHP5 milyong tulong pinansyal para sa pagpapabuti ng mga pasilidad ng ospital (This morning, the President visited Cebu Provincial Hospital Balamban to hand over PHP5 million in financial assistance for the improvement of the hospital’s facilities),” Castro said.

On top of the financial assistance from the Office of the President, Marcos also handed over to CPH-Balamban some 20 wheelchairs and PHP60,000 worth of medicines from the Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office.

During his visit, Marcos toured several facilities of the CPH-Balamban and assessed the implementation of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s (PhilHealth) Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) Program.

As of Jan. 14, about 120 patients have been admitted at the CPH–Balamban, according to a data released by the Presidential Communications Office.

Under the 2026 national budget, PHP17.39 billion has been allocated for the ZBB program.

Marcos also distributed an x-ray machine and an ultrasound machine to CPH branches in Bogo and Danao cities, the Daanbantayan District Hospital, and the Juan B. Dosado Memorial Hospital.

Castro said Marcos will also launch the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program in Cebu to expand Cebuanos’ access to essential medicines.

“Malapit sa puso ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang mga Cebuano kaya naman ilulunsad ni Pangulo ang guaranteed at accessible medications for outpatient treatment o GAMOT Program upang mas mapalawak ang access ng mga Cebuano sa mga kinakailangang medisina (President Marcos Jr. holds the Cebuanos close to his heart, so he will launch the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment or GAMOT Program to further expand Cebuanos’ access to essential medicines),” she said.