Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez led the ceremonial distribution of the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP) provisional cards to beneficiaries, who form part of the initial 20,000 recipients at rites held in front of the Bacolod City Government Center Monday, March 6.
The aim is to distribute about 15,000 BacCHP cards to indigent beneficiaries this week and more next week, Benitez said.
Recipients will be able to use the cards at government and private hospitals.
Three private hospitals – the Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center, South Bacolod General Hospital and Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospitals accept BacCHP card holders.
The first BacCHP member who availed of its benefits was a Bacolodnon diagnosed with malignant melanoma.
The patient’s hospital bill was P191,000 . PhilHealth paid for the P30,000 and rest was covered by BacCHP, Benitez said.
The city government is also eyeing public private partnerships with its three BacCHP private hospital partners, Benitez said.
Under the agreement the city government will have a wing or section, which it will staff with nurses and aides, in each of the three private hospitals to cater to BacCHP card holders, he said.
Dr. Eric Saratan, former Talisay City mayor, is the city’s BacCHP adviser, Benitez said.*