By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY – The city government received an additional PHP 50 million from the Department of Health (DOH) to support the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP).
The DOH approved Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez’s request for more funds to cover rising healthcare expenses under BacCHP, which requires about PHP 16 million monthly.
“If we rely solely on city funds, it is not enough,” said Mae Cuaycong, BacCHP focal person.
The DOH funds will go directly to six accredited hospitals in the city to help alleviate financial pressure.
Under the BacCHP ordinance, the city provides PHP 15,000 for each health card holder and coverage for hospital bills for their dependents.
The program aims to optimize government resources to implement an effective and responsive healthcare system.
As of last month, the city had distributed at least PHP 80 million to 9,000 beneficiaries.
Earlier, Benitez said that the proposed 2025 budget of PHP 4.4 billion would prioritize social services, including an increase in BacCHP funding from PHP 80 million to about PHP 150 million.
