Abbey M.

Department of Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa emphasized that guarantee letters are no longer required at DOH-accredited hospitals due to the implementation of the Zero Balance Billing Program.

The one billion pesos allocated to the agency will significantly support the program's implementation in local government hospitals.

"Constituents are free to ask assistance from their elected officials. But do they need a guarantee letter from them to get assistance, no. They can go straight to the Department of Health and we will help them if they need help and if we have the funds, we will provide the funds if they are qualified to get the funds," Herbosa stated.

["constituents are free to ask assistance from their elected officials. But do they need a guarantee letter from them to get assistance, no. They can go straight to the Department of Health and we will help them if they need help and if we have the funds, we will provide the funds if they are qualified to get the funds."]

Zero balance billing is already in effect

The DOH will not prevent anyone from approaching elected officials for medical financial assistance through guarantee letters (GL). However, according to Health Secretary Herbosa, guarantee letters are no longer necessary at DOH hospitals because the government is already implementing the Zero Balance Billing Program.

"So, sa taumbayan, zero balance billing na po ang inutos ng Presidente, bayad na ang bill ninyo, kahit P2 million, P2.7 million iyong pinakamalaking bill na binayaran ng DOH para sa pasyente, zero balance, magpa-admit kayo sa basic accommodation at zero balance po, hindi kayo iwiwithold ng treatment, treatment will be given to you," the Secretary explained.

["So, to the public, zero balance billing has been ordered by the President—your bill is paid, even if it's P2 million, P2.7 million is the largest bill that DOH has paid for a patient, zero balance. Admit yourself to basic accommodation and it's zero balance, you will not be withheld treatment, treatment will be given to you."]

The President has mandated zero balance billing, meaning patients' bills are covered—even amounts as high as P2 million or P2.7 million, the largest bill DOH has paid for a patient. Patients admitted to basic accommodation will have zero balance and will not be denied treatment.

MAIFIP guidelines expected soon

The Secretary announced that guidelines for the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) are expected to be released before the end of January or by mid-February.

He stressed that they will strictly implement Section 19 of the 2026 General Appropriations Act, which prohibits politicians from participating in the distribution of any type of financial aid.

The DOH plans to allocate MAIFIP funds for patients in semi-private hospital accommodations.

"So, in the IRR that we're drafting for the support fund to LGU hospitals, sa MAIP we are going to use basic accommodation and semi-private. Pero kung naka-suite room ka at single room palagay ko hindi ka qualified to use medical assistance fund from your tax money – tax money ninyo iyan," Herbosa said.

["So, in the IRR that we're drafting for the support fund to LGU hospitals, in MAIFIP we are going to use basic accommodation and semi-private. But if you're in a suite room or single room, I don't think you're qualified to use medical assistance fund from your tax money—that's your tax money."]

PhilHealth speeds up hospital claims processing

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has accelerated the payment of hospital claims to support the zero balance billing implementation.

PhilHealth CEO and President Dr. Edwin Mercado explained that hospitals have seen faster payments, with even doctors' professional fees substantially covered. Many facilities have added Z package offerings for conditions like acute myocardial infarction.

"At dahil po nakita na po nila na mabilis po iyong bayad at nakikinabang nga po iyong even the professional fees of the doctors at substantially covered, marami na pong nadagdag na mga facilities na nag-o-offer nitong ating Z package like acute myocardial infarct. Kahit po private hospital ngayon nag-no, no balance bill na, kasi nakikita po nila iyong iba pong pasyente lumilipat na ng ibang hospital, so iyong po iyong market pressure na pati ho iyong private hospital nag-e-engage na," Mercado stated.

["And because they've seen that the payment is fast and even the professional fees of the doctors are substantially covered, many facilities have added our Z package offerings like acute myocardial infarction. Even private hospitals now are offering no balance billing, because they see other patients transferring to other hospitals, so that's the market pressure that even private hospitals are now engaging."]

Even private hospitals are now offering no balance billing due to market pressure, as they've observed patients transferring to other hospitals.

P1 billion allocated for local government hospitals

The one billion pesos allocated for the Zero Balance Billing Program will be a major assistance to DOH, with local government hospitals being the primary beneficiaries, according to Secretary Herbosa.

"For the Level 1 Hospitals, ang feeling namin kaya na siyang i-support noong increased benefits of PhilHealth. So, alam iyon ng mga local chief executives. But for LGUs that have Level 2 and Level 3 Hospitals, ito iyong mas complex procedures and higher cost of care sila iyong gagamitin nating pilot," the Secretary said.

["For the Level 1 Hospitals, we feel they can be supported by the increased benefits of PhilHealth. So, the local chief executives know that. But for LGUs that have Level 2 and Level 3 Hospitals, these handle more complex procedures and higher cost of care—they're the ones we'll use as pilots."]

Level 1 hospitals can be supported by PhilHealth's increased benefits, which local chief executives are aware of. However, Level 2 and Level 3 hospitals, which handle more complex procedures and higher costs of care, will be used as pilots for the program.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the 2026 General Appropriations Bill into law yesterday, January 5, with Malacañang assuring that the national budget for this year is "pork barrel-free."

"We are with you in ensuring that the budget of the nation is for the nation. We will not allow the hard-earned money of every Filipino to fall into the hands of the corrupt," President Marcos said.

[“Kasama ninyo kami sa layuning tiyakin na ang budget ng bayan ay para sa bayan. Hindi tayo na papayag na mapunta sa kurakot ang salaping pinaghirapan ng bawat Pilipino.”]

In his speech at the signing ceremony of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill, President Marcos emphasized that he will not allow the people's money to be stolen through corruption.

The national budget for this year amounts to ₱6.793 trillion.

According to President Marcos, the government will be more careful in spending the national budget this year.

"In the 2026 National Budget, the direction of your government is clear: we will be more frugal, more careful, more responsible in spending the nation's funds. Every program and project will undergo thorough review to ensure it has clear benefits to the people, especially to sectors that need it most," Marcos said.

[“Sa National Budget ng 2026, malinaw ang direksyon ng inyong pamahalaan: magiging mas masinop, mas maingat, mas responsable kami sa paggastos ng pondo ng bayan. 

Ang bawat programa at proyekto ay dadaan sa masusing pagsusuri upang masiguro na ito ay may malinaw na benepisyo sa mamamayan—lalo na sa sektor na higit na nangangailangan.”]

The top ten departments with the largest budgets are the Department of Education with over ₱1 trillion, followed by the Department of Public Works and Highways with a ₱530.9 billion budget, the Department of Health with ₱448.1 billion, the Department of the Interior and Local Government with ₱310.5 billion, and the Department of National Defense with ₱310 billion.

The Department of Agriculture received ₱297.1 billion, the Department of Social Welfare and Development ₱270.2 billion, the Department of Transportation was allocated ₱141 billion, the Department of Labor was given ₱73.6 billion, and the Judiciary received ₱70.6 billion.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto assured that there is no form of pork barrel in the national budget this year, contrary to statements from some legislators.

"We believe it is pork barrel-free because legislators cannot interfere when it comes to executing the budget, and that is purely an executive function when it comes to budget execution," Recto said.

[“Sa tingin namin, pork barrel-free dahil hindi naman puwedeng makialam ang legislator pagdating ng executing the budget at purely executive function na iyan pagdating ng execution of the budget.”]

President Marcos vetoed ₱92.5 billion in unprogrammed appropriations.

With reports of Nel Maribojoc

The Philippines' inflation rate accelerated in December 2025, according to the latest report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

The December 2025 inflation rate was recorded at 1.8 %, faster compared to the 1.5 % recorded in November 2025.

According to Undersecretary Claire Dennis Mapa, National Statistician of PSA the biggest contributor to the inflation increase this month was food prices, particularly rice.

"The contributor to the rise in the inflation rate of food and non-alcoholic beverages was the slower decline in prices of cereals and cereal products, which had a -7.6 % inflation rate, particularly rice," Mapa said.

[“ang nag-ambag sa pagtaas ng antas ng inflation ng food and non-alcoholic beverages ay ang mas mabagal na pagbaba ng presyo ng cereals and cereal products na may -7.6 percent inflation rate, partikular bigas."]

Aside from rice, the faster increase in vegetable prices also contributed significantly to the higher inflation rate.

According to Usec. Mapa, a possible reason for this is the lingering effects of recent typhoons, particularly in provinces that are major sources of vegetables.

The PSA added that other key commodities that contributed to overall inflation last month include fish, particularly galunggong (round scad), as well as onions.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 97.5% of the share in the country's overall inflation increase.

ARMYs around the globe are celebrating as 2026 brings major news from their favorite group.

Big Hit Music has officially announced that BTS will reunite as a complete group on March 20, marking their first full album release in almost four years. Following the album drop, the agency revealed plans for a massive world tour.

Ahead of the formal announcement, BTS surprised fortunate fans with handwritten notes during New Year celebrations. These letters displayed the date "2026.3.20," hinting at their highly anticipated return.

In his message, RM expressed that the members themselves have been anticipating this moment more than anyone. Jin conveyed his appreciation for the unwavering patience shown by supporters.

J-Hope revealed that preparations the group has been working on are now coming to fruition. Jimin declared that the time for their reunion has come.

Suga encouraged continued mutual enjoyment and affection throughout the year. V pledged to build additional cherished experiences in 2026 and urged anticipation, while Jung Kook conveyed his longing and requested continued backing.

The group has maintained a self-imposed break since 2022 while members fulfilled their required military obligations. Suga became the last member to finish his service in June 2025.

QUEZON CITY – The Quezon City Police District successfully implemented security measures during New Year's Eve celebrations at Quezon Memorial Circle, Nova Park, and Eastwood in Quezon City, with no major incidents reported.

According to Acting District Director Police Colonel Randy Glenn Silvio, the proper deployment of sufficient personnel and support from other agencies and force multipliers helped ensure public safety during the festivities.

The strict enforcement of regulations against dangerous and illegal firecrackers also contributed significantly to the peaceful celebrations.

Police Colonel Silvio emphasized that coordination with the local government and other stakeholders was key to maintaining orderly and safe security throughout the event.