Cebu City to Hike Free Medical Care to P50,000

A Cebu City legislator has proposed to increase the free medical care of city residents from public and private hospitals to a maximum of Php50,000.

Cebu City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr., in his proposed ordinance, wants the city to grant a maximum of Php50,000 in medical aid every year to qualified residents, or their dependents, who are admitted to a government hospital or to a private hospital accredited by the city.

To qualify, the resident must present a medical abstract, voter’s certificate issued by the Commission on Elections, barangay clearance or certification for residency requirement and the hospital bill.

The requirements will then be evaluated by the Department of Social Welfare and Services.

“The benefits of this ordinance may also be availed by a direct descendant or ascendant of the qualified and bona fide resident, whether legitimate or otherwise,” read the proposed ordinance.

Gabuya said his proposal will complement the City’s Hospitalization and Medicine Program (Champ).

Under Champ, a qualified beneficiary can avail himself of up to Php25,000 in hospitalization, P5,000 worth of medicines and another Php5,000 for laboratory work.

Gabuya said he learned that Champ was only created by an executive order, prompting him to come up with his proposal.

In July 2010, Mayor Michael Rama penned Executive Order 10-01 to create Champ.

Gabuya said that with the proposed ordinance, an annual allocation from the city’s general funds will be required for the effective implementation of the program. (PNA) FPV/EB/EBP