• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
The Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP), which celebrated its 15th year of existence yesterday, has catered to 52,454 patients as of September 2025, which showed a significant rise of beneficiaries to more than 45,000 in just a year.
Based on the data disclosed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson during his speech on the 15th anniversary of NOCHP at the Negros Residence, the total number of patients served by the program jumped to 52,454 from 6,885 in 2024.
Lacson said in an interview that the reason behind the significant rise of beneficiaries was due to the initiative of the program to designate NOCHP program coordinators in all localities within the province.
According to him, the statistics showed a huge factor: Negrenses are now more aware of the existence of the program.
“We now have program coordinators in every local government unit (LGU); it is more about making the public aware that NOCHP is there to help. That is why there is a big increase in the number of beneficiaries, and we expect it to rise in years to come,” he said, expressing his satisfaction with the outcome of the programs since they were established in 2010.
The records also showed that the total funds released by the NOCHP to the beneficiaries as of September this year have reached P78,295,719, surpassing the P74 million recorded for the entire year of 2024.
NOCHP is a provincial health initiative of the province that provides comprehensive healthcare services to residents, particularly the poor and marginalized. It was intended to cover the patient’s bills for medicines up to P5,000.
“It is actually the Negrenses’ last recourse in terms of healthcare services,” he added.
Lacson further disclosed that the NOCHP is no longer co-funded by the congressional office in the province, as the provincial government aimed to independently fund the program.*
