• CHERYL G. CRUZ
More than 300 BacCHP (Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program) cards were distributed to beneficiaries in Barangay Estefania Jan. 13, led by Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, with councilors Kalaw Puentevella, Em Ang, and Thaddy Sayson, and other officials.
“I stand true to my word that no Bacolodnon will be denied of any medical service,” Benitez posted on his Facebook page, adding “there is no need to worry financially if hospitalization arises”.
Benitez said BacCHP cards are honored at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital and private hospitals, like the Riverside Medical Center Inc., South Bacolod General Hospital, Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, Queen of Mercy Hospital, and soon at The Doctors’ Hospital.
The Doctors’ Hospital is the latest private medical institution that signed the memorandum of understanding with the city to provide services to BacCHP cardholders. The MOU was ratified by the Sangguniang Panlungsod Jan. 10.
With this program, private hospitals will no longer ask for a down payment, Benitez said, adding that a beneficiary can just present his or her card to the hospital liaison for assistance.
The deployment of BacCHP social workers and hospital liaisons started in November.
Benitez also said he is currently in talks with PhilHealth on the possible expansion of the BacCHP for dialysis.
The BacCHP implementation has a city budget of P54 million this year, from last year’s P50 million. | CGC
