Manila, Feb. 21 -- The Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday that at least 1.6 million patients have so far benefited from the Marcos administration's Zero Balance Billing program.

Latest data from the agency showed the government has shouldered hospital bills amounting to PHP95 billion from July 2025 to January 2026, under the initiative.

In a statement on Saturday, the DOH said it would continue pushing for the program's expansion to include shared pay ward for PhilHealth direct contributors, such as middle-class employees.

"Sa pagpapalakas ng Zero Balance Billing, iniutos din ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr. na kailangang mas maramdaman pa ng middle-class workers ang benepisyo ng gobyerno (In strengthening the Zero Balance Billin...