President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. marked his 68th birthday on Saturday in a modest yet meaningful way by visiting the Valenzuela Medical Center in Valenzuela City.
According to the Presidential Communications Office, the President was warmly welcomed by healthcare workers and hospital staff holding banners with birthday greetings as he made his rounds at the facility.
During the visit, Marcos personally checked on the implementation of the zero balance billing (ZBB) policy, which aims to ensure that Filipinos—especially the poor and vulnerable—can access quality healthcare without financial burden. Under the ZBB program, patients in Department of Health (DOH)-run hospitals are no longer required to pay for medical services, medicines, or doctors’ professional fees.
DOH data showed that daily average admissions in its hospitals rose from 3,297 to 4,067 since the announcement of the policy, reflecting growing public confidence in the program.
The President also toured the hospital’s key facilities, including the pediatric ward, the Kangaroo Mother Care unit for preterm and low birthweight infants, and the surgery section. He was accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their son, Joseph Simon Marcos.
Later in the day, the First Lady posted a heartfelt birthday message to her husband on Facebook, writing: “Happy birthday to my partner in everything. So grateful for every laugh, every adventure and every moment we share. Love you to the moon and back!!”