- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The proposed ordinance establishing the guidelines and procedures in the availment of the Bacolod Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP), and allocating P80-million for its initial implementation, was approved on third and final reading by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Councilor Kalaw Puentevella, who is the proponent of the measure, said the P50 million funding will be sourced from the 2023 general budget of the city government, that was also approved on third and final reading by the SP.
Puentevella, chairperson of the SP Committee on Health and Sanitation, said the balance of P30 million will be sourced from other sources, like the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation.
If needed, Mayor Alfredo Benitez said he is more than willing to look for additional funding, the councilor said.
The BacCHP is a flagship health program of the Benitez administration.
“This administration gives great emphasis to our health sector by virtue of the BacCHP, which aims to enhance the delivery of healthcare services to the public and consequently blur the inequity between classes, in terms of healthcare accessibility,” the mayor said in his budget message.
Three private hospitals in Bacolod have, so far, signed memoranda of agreement with the city government to admit BacCHP card holders without need for any deposit or other requirements.
The latest was officials of the Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital in October, after the Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center, and South Bacolod General Hospital and Medical Center signed the MOAs Sept. 15.
Benitez thanked the hospital managements for their commitment towards his flagship health program as it will further institutionalize the health assistance he envisioned for Bacolodnons.
A BacCHP cardholder shall be entitled to P15,000 that will serve as grant for health related expenses; provided that it shall be used only after exhausting PhilHealth benefits and other government healthcare grants or assistance./CGC
