Two Department of Health (DOH) hospitals in Bohol are preparing to implement zero-balance billing, part of a national scheme under which patients admitted to basic or ward accommodations in DOH-run facilities pay nothing out of pocket.

The Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Tagbilaran and the Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Medical Center in Ubay are among 87 DOH hospitals nationwide now covered by the scheme, which began in mid-May — just days before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. publicly announced it during his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Under the policy, all medical bills — including bed, services and medications — are fully shouldered by PhilHealth and the government, provided the patient is admitted to a basic accommodation. 

DOH has clarified that no additional documentation or interviews are required, and facilities should assist unregistered patients in enrolling with PhilHealth.

The move aligns with the expansion of health benefits announced by Finance Secretary Ralph Recto on August 7, which included increased PhilHealth package rates for conditions such as breast cancer, dialysis, kidney transplant, cataract, and emergency services, underscoring the government’s commitment to universal healthcare.

In Bohol, hospital chiefs are now standing by for further implementation guidelines from the DOH to ensure smooth execution of the policy, including processes for PhilHealth enrollment and patient processing.

CHATTO LEGACY

Meanwhile, the new multi-specialty hospital in Bohol, described as a legacy project of former congressman Atty. Edgar Migriño Chatto, is set to open on August 30, 2025, health officials said.

The  legacy projects of former governor and congressman Chatto under the terms of Presidents Aquino, Duterte and Marcos with DOH Secretaries Enrique Ona, Pauline Ubial, Janet Garin, Francisco Duque and Sec. Ted Herbosa. The project was conceptualized by then Gov. Chatto during the term of Gallares Chief of Hospital Dr. Jose Arcay and implemented under Dr. Mutya Macuno, Dr. Mike Jayoma with the new Gallares Cortes Chief of Hospital Dr. Eno Tirol. 

The facility, located in Cortes town, was created under Republic Act No. 11883 principally authored by Cong. Chatto in the House of Representative with counterpart measure of Sen. Sonny Angara and Sen. Bong Go in the Senate. The measure signed into law on June 29, 2024 by then president Rodrigo Duterte.

The land was donated to the national government by the Bohol provincial government during Chatto’s term as governor.

Chatto, who authored the measure in Congress, said Bohol needed a facility that could handle specialized cases, noting that sending patients to Manila was both costly and inconvenient.

Department of Health regional director Joshua Brilliantes recently inspected the nearly completed building. 

The cardiology department will be the first to open, allowing heart patients in Bohol and neighboring provinces to receive treatment without traveling to the capital.

Officials said the hospital is expected to transform healthcare delivery in the province and the region, offering advanced services closer to home.