The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on Wednesday, August 3, granted Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez authority to negotiate with six private hospitals for their participation in the Bacolod Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP), Councilor Al Victor Espino said.
The SP granted the mayor’s request for a resolution granting him authority to negotiate with the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, Dr. Pablo O. Torre Memorial Hospital, Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital, The Doctors’ Hospital, Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center and South Bacolod General Hospital and Medical Center.
Registration of Bacolodnons for BaCHP coverage has begun, Benitez said on Monday.
“We are now discussing what kind of coverage can be given, but when it comes to indigent patients we are moving towards a policy of no balance billing,” Benitez said.
They will start with the indigents and later expand it, the mayor said.
An ordinance presented by Councilor Em Ang to provide fuel subsidy to drivers of tricycles for hire with existing valid franchise issued by the city government was also approved on second reading with proposed amendments.
The SP also approved a resolution requesting the mayor to convene the Bacolod Arts and Culture Council as proposed by Ang.
A request for the mayor to implement a city ordinance establishing a Bacolod City Information and Communications Technology Training Scholarship Program proposed by Councilor Jason Villarosa was approved.
The SP also approved a resolution requesting the mayor to implement the free miscellaneous fees in all public schools ordinance, and another requesting the creation of a team to study the possible renovation of the Bacolod City Library and archives to make it PWD and senior citizen friendly, proposed by Councilor Simplicia Distrito.
The resolution of Councilor Psyche Marie Sy urging the mayor to declare Bacolod City an insurgency-free city was approved.
A resolution requesting the mayor through the City Health Office to intensify the information drive against the risk of monkey pox proposed by Councilor Claudio Jesus Puentevella was also approved.*