Manila, Jan. 13 -- Malacanang on Tuesday said local government units (LGUs) must ensure they have sufficient funds before issuing hospital guarantee letters.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that such guarantees should not be charged to the Department of Health (DOH), particularly for hospital services already covered under the government's Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) program.

Castro made the statement in response to remarks by Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who criticized Health Secretary Ted Herbosa for saying that DOH-run hospitals do not rely on guarantee letters, especially for basic accommodations.

Castro defended Herbosa, noting that DOH hospitals, including the Baguio General Hospital (BGH),...