THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released an additional P1.855 billion to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to cover its Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) program, medical services and specialized treatments.
In a statement on Wednesday, the DBM said P1.04 billion of the additional funding will support a broad range of medical services at the state-run hospital.
PGH is a national university hospital operated by the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila and one of the country’s foremost referral centers.
About P800 million will also be allotted to finance the hospital’s ZBB program, a government policy that seeks to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket hospital expenses for patients admitted to basic accommodation or a ward in facilities accredited by the Department of Health (DOH).
The remaining P15 million will likewise fund the treatment of patients with Dystonia-Parkinsonism, or Lubag Syndrome, including specialized treatment and related medical requirements.
‘This P1.855 billion is not simply additional funding on paper – it means more resources for treatment, less financial pressure on families, and continued support for patients who depend on PGH for critical and specialized care,’ Budget Secretary Kim Robert C. de Leon was quoted as saying.
The DBM noted that the release was made in accordance with budget execution rules and requirements to ensure that the additional funds are used for their intended purposes.
For 2027, budget allocation for UP System’s Health Services Program, which covers PGH’s operations, is proposed at P7.290 billion, almost 10 percent lower than this year’s P8.096 billion.
The consolidated health sector budget is proposed at P1.06 trillion for next year to improve access to hospitals, medicines, health facilities, financial assistance, and other essential health services, according to the DBM.
‘Our fiscal space may be limited, but when lives and essential health services are at stake, government must find the resources and make them count,’ de Leon said.