Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said he is inclined to take a look at a possible Public Private Partnership for the operation of the Bacolod City Hospital that is expected to be completed by 2025.
He is also considering allowing another water concessionaire to operate in Bacolod if the Bacolod City Water District-PrimeWater service does not improve, Benitez said at a press conference on Monday, August 14.
Benitez said a lot of investors have already expressed interest in entering into a PPP for the hospital, which is now under construction at Barangay Vista Alegre in Bacolod City, and he is inclined to consider it.
“We don’t have the expertise and manpower to run a full blown hospital…a PPP would harness the expertise of the private sector,“ he said.
Through a PPP the private investor could contribute to more infrastructure, equipment and operations of the hospital, he said.
Benitez said he informed Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri that he would rather that government strengthen PhilHealth coverage for patient care to make the hospital viable even with private sector involvement.
This will also ensure free hospital care for indigent patients, he said.
The mayor said he also spoke to the PhilHealth head about increasing allocations for dialysis, and was told that it will be raised from P2,500 to about P3,600 per session.
He cited the P9.77 billion Makati Life Medical Center of Makati City with state of the art equipment funded under a PPP as a possible model for the Bacolod City Hospital.
Meanwhile. Benitez said two infirmaries for Bacolod residents are being built to declog patients at hospitals.
So far the Bacolod City Health Program has assisted more than 200 patients at hospitals in the city, he also said.
“My campaign promise is no Bacolodnon will be denied hospital care,” Benitez said.
ON WATER
Benitez also said in the two-year partnership of BACIWA and PrimeWater there is much to be desired.
Investment in a new piping system is needed to ensure better and clean water supply in Bacolod City, which he has communicated to PrimeWater, Benitez said.
Benitez said if the poor water service is not addressed he will entertain another concessionaire to also serve the water needs of Bacolod.
There is no legal impediment to the city government’s allowing another concessionaire, Benitez said.*