President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday commended the healthcare workers and staff of the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC), led by Chief Dr. Joseph Michael Jaro, for their effective and smooth implementation of the government’s zero balance billing policy.

This policy ensures that patients do not incur out-of-pocket expenses during hospitalization.

“Nandito tayo ngayon sa Eastern Visayas Medical Center at napunta lang ako dito because I wanted to see kung maganda naman ang patakbo sa ‘yung ating zero billing na ginagawa ngayon,” President Marcos said.

Despite early concerns about lengthy queues and procedural confusion, the President observed that hospital staff efficiently guide patients and their families through a simple process.

“Zero billing ang paglabas. Wala na sila … Walang dagdag na bayad, wala ng dokumento, wala ng kailangang gawin. Pipirma na lang, puwede na nilang iuwi ang kanilang pasyente,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos stressed the importance of replicating this success in all 87 accredited hospitals of the Department of Health (DOH) nationwide.

“We just have to make sure na lahat ng ospital sa buong Pilipinas alam nila ang procedure kasi bago ito eh. But I think kaya naman nila because maliwanag na maliwanag naman kung ano ‘yung PhilHealth, ano ‘yung sa DOH, at sinong qualified. Lahat naman halos qualified,” the President said.

The zero balance billing system, initiated by the Department of Health (DOH) and supported by PhilHealth, applies to patients who are admitted to basic or ward accommodations.

President Marcos has instructed DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to ensure that all public hospitals are completely familiar with the procedures, to guarantee a smooth and efficient nationwide rollout.

“Ito nga ang aking (utos) kay Secretary Ted Herbosa … and Dr. Jaro na make sure na hindi lamang dito alam ang gagawin. Ito kabisado na nila ang procedure na lahat ng mga ospital natin ng DOH make sure alam nila ‘yung gagawin nila para hindi naman masyadong mahirapan ang ating mga pasyente,” President Marcos said.

The President expressed confidence that with the continued dedication of healthcare workers, the policy will help strengthen and expand access to affordable healthcare for all Filipinos. | PND

A daughter of a mall maintenance worker expressed her gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the newly launched program, which gave much-needed financial relief for her family and allowed them to focus on her father’s recovery instead of worrying about hospital expenses.

“Magkano lang naman po ‘yung sahod ni Papa sa trabaho niya po. Sobrang laki po ng bill niya dito kaya sobrang saya po na magiging zero balance po,” Rica Ligo said.

President Marcos witnessed firsthand how the Bayad na Bill Mo program fully covered the remaining hospital bill of PhP372,561.44 for Rico Ligo, 48, a Fishermall maintenance worker from Malabon, who was on vacation in Alangalang, Leyte, when he was injured in a stabbing incident.

Meanwhile, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa explained that the new program now applies to all Filipinos, unlike in the past when it was limited to indigent patients, particularly those enrolled in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). The new program is being implemented in all 87 DOH hospitals nationwide.

Herbosa said the program requires no additional documents or interviews, and all costs, including medicines and professional fees, are fully covered.

Herbosa assured the public that there is sufficient funding to sustain the program, noting that the President has even increased the Department of Health’s (DOH) Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) for all DOH hospitals by 15 percent.

EVMC is the largest DOH hospital in the region, with 1,100 bed capacity. It serves patients from Tacloban City, Leyte, Samar, and other nearby provinces. The hospital has 17 specialty centers and handles complex cases, making it a vital healthcare center in Eastern Visayas.

The hospital is improving its systems to make the Bayad na Bill Mo program more efficient and accessible as more patients seek care. Such improvements show the Marcos administration’s commitment to giving quality and affordable healthcare to all Filipinos. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday visited the Department of Health’s Eastern Visayas Medical Center (DOH-EVMC) to personally oversee the implementation of the “Bayad na Bill Mo” program, also known as the zero-balance billing policy.

President Marcos witnessed firsthand how the Bayad na Bill Mo program entirely covered the remaining hospital bill of PhP372,561.44 for Rico Ligo, 48, a Fishermall maintenance worker from Malabon, who was on vacation in Alangalang, Leyte, when he was injured in a stabbing incident.

Joined by Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, President Marcos checked on the program’s full implementation, ensuring that patients admitted to basic or ward accommodation received essential medical care without out-of-pocket expenses.

During the visit, President Marcos met with hospital officials led by EVMC Chief Dr. Joseph Michael Jaro, as well as frontline healthcare workers and patients.

The President toured key hospital facilities and reviewed actual patient cases to assess the program’s impact personally.

One of the cases President Marcos reviewed was that of Ligo, who spent three weeks in the hospital, including two weeks in the ICU, and underwent two major operations due to three stab wounds. His total hospital bill reached PhP406,973.93. After a PhP32,760 deduction from PhilHealth, the remaining balance was PhP372,561.44.

President Marcos checked the bill and accompanied Ligo’s 17-year-old daughter, Rica, to the billing station.

The President saw firsthand how the Bayad na Bill Mo program covered the remaining balance.

“She just came down to bring – parang hotel, mag-check out. Kasi kung titingnan ninyo wala na ang, zero talaga, zero billing. Wala na siyang kailangang bayaran,” President Marcos said in a brief statement during his visit.

“I wanted to see kung maganda naman ang patakbo sa ‘yung ating zero billing na ginagawa ngayon … Nakikita ko naman, everybody knows what they are supposed to do,” the President added.

The President said he instructed Herbosa to ensure that all DOH hospitals are aware of the zero-balance billing policy procedure to ensure the smooth implementation of the program.

“Patuloy lang. Pagagandahin pa natin. This is one good thing pero marami pa naman kailangang gawin for the healthcare system and magagawa naman natin. May makikita tayong improvement talaga,” President Marcos said. | PND

Several beneficiaries of the Department of Health’s (DOH) zero-balance billing policy expressed their heartfelt gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his visit to the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) on Monday.

During his visit, President Marcos personally checked on the implementation of the policy, which the President emphasized in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA). The policy ensures that patients admitted to basic or ward accommodations in DOH-accredited hospitals have their medical expenses fully covered, eliminating any out-of-pocket costs.

Meche Mae Colana, 21, from Brgy. Balilit, Dagami, Leyte, whose relative was treated for kidney stones at EVMC, praised the hospital for its speedy and well-organized services.

“Super efficient and effective po. Hindi siya hassle kasi maraming staff na tumutulong at inaalalayan nila ‘yung mga bantay na nag-aasikaso ng papers. Very responsible po silang magtrabaho. Thank you so much, Presidente—ang laking ginhawa po ng zero-balance billing sa amin na mahihirap,” she said.

Evelyn Pido from Alangalang, Leyte, whose child was treated after a basketball accident, echoed the same sentiment, commending the hospital for its efficiency in delivering public health services.

“Maraming salamat po dahil wala na kaming binayaran. Zero balance po ang aming bill. Malaking tulong po ito sa aming mahihirap,” she said.

Meanwhile, Kimberly Advincula, 16, from Brgy. Roxas, Burauen, Leyte, whose premature baby was confined at the hospital, expressed her gratitude for President Marcos’ leadership.

“Wala na po kaming binayaran dito sa ospital. Malaking tulong po ito sa amin, lalo na kung malaki ang babayaran. Maayos at mabilis ang serbisyo,” she said.

DOH EVMC, the largest DOH-run hospital in the region, is a Level 3 tertiary facility with 1,100 beds, serving patients from Tacloban, Leyte, Samar, and neighboring provinces.

The hospital is continually improving its systems to expand the reach and efficiency of the zero-balance billing policy, reflecting the Marcos administration’s commitment to improving the healthcare system in the country.

The President’s visit reaffirmed his belief that healthcare is a right, not a privilege, and that every Filipino deserves access to quality and affordable medical care. | PND

Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. consistently demonstrates “true kindness and generosity” in his character.

“Mr. President, after all that you have had to weather and endure, you have maintained your true nature of kindness and generosity,” Gomez said in her speech during the distribution of 124 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) for Eastern Visayas local government units (LGUs) on Monday.

“You not only lead us by example. You empower all of us, LGUs, all mayors, and Leyteños to be vessels of your kindness and generosity,” Gomez said during the turnover ceremony in Ormoc City.

“Mr. President, not everybody is always kind. But you are always kind,” Gomez added.

President Marcos visited Ormoc on Monday for the fourth time, Gomez said, recalling that the Chief Executive had come to check on their well-being after the 2017 earthquake.

“We welcome you now, our nation’s leader who has come through countless challenges in your fourth year as President, from national security threats to strengthening the national economy, to alleviating the effects of natural disasters among the myriad problems that come within the nation’s highest office,” Gomez said.

The Ormoc City mayor said President Marcos has maintained a steady hand on the ship’s wheel while navigating the roughest seas over the past three years.

Gomez also thanked Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades Robles for the Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP).

“Sirs, this gift is nothing less than a game changer in terms of our LGUs’ abilities to provide prompt transportation services for those requiring emergency medical facilities,” she told the President and Robles.

During the turnover ceremony in Ormoc City, President Marcos was joined by Gomez, Robles, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, and other government officials.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued Administrative Order No. 36 establishing the Education and Workforce Development Group (EWDG) to address challenges confronting the Philippine education sector, including poor teacher support and inconsistent policies.

“It is necessary to establish an effective coordinating mechanism among agencies involved in education and workforce development to address long-standing concerns in the education sector, and foster a complete, adequate, and integrated education system in the country,” stated the President’s order.

The order cited the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) report, which highlights problems such as the fragmented implementation of education programs, misaligned teacher development efforts, and inconsistent education plans and policies.

AO No. 36, which was issued on August 13, 2025, mandates that the EWDG be the primary coordinating body for all education and workforce development matters in the Philippines.

The EWDG is tasked with several responsibilities, including formulating a 10-year National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NEWDP), evaluating existing inter-agency bodies related to education and workforce development, and assessing the current legal and policy framework governing these areas.

The EWDG is required to submit monthly performance reports to the President and the Executive Secretary, and may create technical working groups to support its initiatives.

The group will be chaired by the President, with the Secretary of Education as co-chairperson, and the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) as vice-chairperson.

Members of the EWDG include the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Secretaries of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev), and the Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). | PND

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades Robles on Monday thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for leading the distribution of the Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) to local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas.

In his remarks during the turnover ceremony held in Ormoc City, Leyte, Robles likened the PCSO donation of PTVs to winning the lottery, without even buying tickets.

“Noong minsan nagbiro ako, para manalo sa PCSO bibili po kayo ng ticket. Ito ho, hindi na kayo bibili ng ticket. Panalo na po kayo ngayon. Maraming salamat Mr. President,” Robles said.

President Marcos led the turnover of 124 PTVs from PCSO to LGUs in Eastern Visayas. Joining the President were Robles, Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez, and other government officials.

The PTVs were distributed under the PCSO Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP), which targets full coverage for all 1,642 LGUs nationwide by the end of 2025.

Robles said President Marcos had ordered him to bring the government health services closer to the people.

“And what better way than bringing these patient transport vehicles or ambulances para po sa inyo. We are now hitting our 75 percent goal of cities and municipalities in just the middle of the term,” Robles said, adding that by the end of this year, 100 percent coverage is possible.

Robles said President Marcos had ordered that government services should not be politicized, and that all LGUs must be given an equal chance to avail of these services.

“Malinaw po sa amin ang utos ng Pangulo na huwag pong politikahin ang pagbigay ng health care. Dahil ang sakit po, lahat po ay dinadapuan niyan, kakampi ka man or kalaban, hindi po namimili ‘yan,” Robles said.

“They do not distinguish, and in like manner, the government… the administration under the Bagong Pilipinas, you don’t even have to come to us. Kami na po ang pumupunta sa inyo,” Robles said. | PND

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to making healthcare more accessible, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed that reforms must begin at the grassroots level to ensure that Filipinos do not have to suffer in silence or delay treatment due to cost and distance.

Speaking at the Ormoc City Plaza during the turnover of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) patient transport vehicles for Eastern Visayas, President Marcos highlighted that every citizen deserves access to timely and affordable healthcare.

The President acknowledged the difficulties many Filipinos encounter in accessing health services.

“Kasi, takot pumunta dahil magbabayad ng gamot, walang pambayad ng gamot, very inconvenient na pumunta sa ospital. So, by the time they go to the hospital, kung minsan too late na,” President Marcos said.

President Marcos said that many health issues affecting Filipinos can be managed effectively at the local level if barangay facilities are fully equipped.

President Marcos highlighted a historic milestone under his administration, saying, “For the first time in the Philippines, every single municipality and every single city has a doctor now.”

The program, the President said, reflects the government’s determination to ensure that no locality is left without a frontline medical officer.

The President assured the public that the government will continue to expand grassroots health initiatives, which include enhancing barangay health facilities, establishing specialty centers in various regions, and maintaining the one-doctor-per-local government unit policy. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday led the turnover of 124 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) to local government units (LGUs) across Eastern Visayas, including LGUs that received such ambulances for the first time.

During the turnover ceremony held at the City Plaza in Ormoc City, President Marcos underscored his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and emergency response systems in the regions and bringing them back close to the grassroots level.

“We came here because this is part of the continuing strengthening of our healthcare system,” President Marcos said in his remarks.

“This is our continuing effort to strengthen our healthcare system and to bring healthcare… down to the smallest members of our society. Palapitin lang natin ang healthcare sa taong-bayan,” the President added.

President Marcos mentioned several LGUs that received an ambulance for the first time.

These are Abuyog, Jaro, Kananga, Matalom, and Santa Fe, all in Leyte province; Tagapul-an in Samar; General MacArthur, Salcedo, and San Policarpio in Eastern Samar; and Lapinig, San Vicente, and Silvino Lobos in Northern Samar.

“Nagulat ako, binigyan ako ng listahan na mayroon pa pala tayong mga first-timer dito na first time na magkaroon ng ambulansya sa bayan ninyo,” said the President.

The 124 PTV units were distributed under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program (MTVDP), which President Marcos reaffirmed will cover all 1,642 LGUs nationwide by the end of 2025.

Since 2022, the program has turned over more than 1,200 ambulances nationwide.

Each ambulance vehicle has a stretcher, oxygen tank, blood pressure monitor, first aid kit, and other essential medical tools.

The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to complete the program within the year, establishing a nationwide network of medical transport that supports both Universal Health Care and disaster response efforts.

The distribution ceremony in Ormoc City was also attended by PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles, who joined the President in handing over the symbolic keys to provincial and municipal officials. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the reorganization of the Economy and Development Council (ED Council) and its committees to guarantee the effective implementation of the government’s socioeconomic policies and programs.

Under Administrative Order (AO) No. 37 signed on August 13, President Marcos appointed the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (SAPIEA) as a member of the ED Council.

The SAPIEA, who is currently Secretary Frederick D. Go, was also designated as chairperson of the Council’s Economic Development Committee (EDCom), with the Secretaries of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) and the Department of Finance (DOF) as vice chairpersons.

The SAPIEA will also sit and represent the Office of the President, including the Executive Secretary, in the ED Council’s Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC), Investment Coordination Committee (ICC), Infrastructure Committee (InfraCom), and Social Development Committee (SDC).

The Secretaries of the DOF and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) were designated as co-chairpersons of the DBCC.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the director-general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission were named as members of the SDC.

The Secretaries of DAR and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were named as members of the ED Council’s Tariff and Related Matters Committee.

AO No. 37 said the DEPDev cited the “need to reorganize the composition of the ED Council and its Committees to ensure continuity in the integration, coordination, and implementation of various socioeconomic policies and programs of the government.”

The ED Council, formerly known as the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, was established upon the enactment of Republic Act No. 12145, also known as the Economy, Planning, and Development Act, last April.

The ED Council is headed by the President and serves as the executive collegial body responsible for directing and providing overall policy direction on economic matters to achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth and development. | PND