Bing eyes expanded emergency aid program for poor
BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Evelio Leonardia will enter into an agreement with the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) for the setting up of the Bacolod City Emergency Medical Assistance Program intended for city residents, most specifically the indigents who cannot afford to seek medical treatment in various hospitals in the city.
The medical assistance fund for CLMMRH is on top of the existing assistance programs given by the local government of Bacolod to qualified beneficiaries since 2004. As per record from the city government, over 50,000 Bacoleños had already availed of Leonardia’s medical assistance.
Leonardia confirmed that per his study and statistics, 80% of patients confined at the CLMMRH are Bacolod residents, most of whom are less privileged who cannot afford to pay for medical expenses.
“It has always been a priority of the city government to ensure the welfare of the constituents and he expressed hopes that through the medical assistance program, the city government will be able to help those who need medical treatment,” Leonardia said.
He emphasized that any qualified beneficiaries who want to avail this program must first secure a referral slip from the city government through the Department of Social Services and Development or DSSD. Then, the referral slip will be turned over to the DSSD personnel assigned at the CLMMRH for facilitation.
Earlier, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod approved an initial amount of P1.5 million intended as medical assistant for Bacoleños confined at the said hospital. This amount is a replenishment to the 80 percent which was already utilized for qualified recipients and patients.
