Manila, Sept. 11 -- The Department of Health (DOH) will soon exclude road violators from its zero balance billing policy in public hospitals, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa announced on Thursday.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Jean Todt, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Road Safety, Herbosa said violators of basic road safety rules will no longer enjoy free hospitalization under the program.

"Today, I'm announcing that if you are admitted because you are not wearing a helmet, you are not wearing a seatbelt, you were drinking-you are now disqualified from the zero balance bill," he said.

There is no specific timeline as to when this would take effect but Herbosa said the department would soon "dissem...