BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Through the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP) introduced by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, patterned after the successful Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Care Program (NOCHP) of the provincial government, the admission of indigent patients in two private hospitals in Bacolod City no longer require a cash deposit.
This was after Benitez and representatives of Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center, as well as the South Bacolod General Hospital, through their respective representatives, Dr. Christine Marie Puey and Cherry Pink Nonato, respectively, signed a memorandum of agreement, for the initial six-month partnership, at the Bacolod City Government Center.
Benitez disclosed that the two private hospitals will now accept BacCHP cardholders without the need for deposits and other requirements, they would normally require from patients.
At least 10,000 poorest of the poor Bacolodnons have been initially enrolled in the health program implemented by the administration of Benitez.
“This becomes an easier way for them to be able to access medical attention,” the mayor said.
Health is among the priority programs of his administration, and Benitez said the signing of MOA with two private hospitals is a first step in realizing his dream to be able to expand and to have a health program so all the people of Bacolod will no longer have a problem of their hospital bills.
“Before, you cannot be admitted in a private hospital unless you pay a deposit. Now, it is no longer required. Before, you still need to apply for requirements. Now, you are pre-qualified, you can just go to the hospital and seek the medical service that you need,” he stressed.
Under the BacCHP, Benitez said a beneficiary who will be treated in any of the two private hospitals will first avail of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) coverage, then the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
If the covered amount is not enough to cover hospital bills, the city government will use its funds, he added.
The implementation of NOCHP program in the third district of Negros Occidental started when Benitez was congressman from 2010 to 2019. It was also replicated in the five other districts of the province, except then in Bacolod lone district, the late Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.*
