The Department of Health (DOH) has officially announced the plan to launch a new policy, providing new privilege for the PhilHealth direct contributors under working or middle class sector.

PhilHealth direct contributors are those members whose premiums are automatically deducted from their monthly salary.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has announced the plan to direct all DOH hospitals to apply zero-balance billing in pay wards or shared room accommodation. 

“Pwede nang iutos sa lahat ng DOH hospitals through a Department Memorandum Circular na maglagay at mag-allocate ng special area for direct contributors or ‘yung ating mga working class or middle class na gustong magpa-accomodate sa zero balance billing sa ating mga ospital,” he said 

[“It can now be directed to all DOH hospitals through a Department Memorandum Circular to put and allocate a special area for direct contributors or our working class or middle class who want to avail the zero balance billing in our hospitals.”]

Sec. Herbosa added that contributors will be separated from the common area.

“So ise-separate namin kayo para matingnan kung kayo ay mabigyan ng mas magandang accommodation, may aircondition, may separation para hindi kayo nasa common area,” he said

[“So we’ll separate you to check if you’ll be provided better accommodation, with aircondition, with separation so you’re not placed in the common area”]

This plan serves as a response to contributors’ wish to get better accommodation in hospitals.

Eventually, President Bongbong Marcos Jr. assigned Secretary Ted Herbosa to launch the program plan.

“Sabi nila, “Isasama mo rin ba kami sa basic accommodation? Sana naman, makakuha kami ng mas magandang accommodation.” Nadinig po ng ating Pangulo ang inyong [mga] hiling at inatasan ako to think of this program.” he explained

[“They said, “Are you going to include us in the basic accommodation? Hopefully, we’ll get better accommodation. The President heard your wishes and assigned me to think of this program.]

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