Unpaid hospital dues await budget

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. De los Reyes will be asking the City Council for the passage of a supplemental budget for the unpaid dues to the district hospital incurred during the previous administration.

This as De los Reyes and Dr. Augustin Agos, district hospital chief, agreed to restructure the current part of the debts, which now amount to close to P8 million.

In a press conference called by the De los Reyes, he said indigent constituents who need medical attention at the district hospital will now be accommodated, that is, will be issued coupons by the city government.

"Nasabotan na gyud namo nga dawaton na og balik ang pasyente sa district hospital," De los Reyes said after their recent meeting with Agos.

The city also made a partial payment in the amount of P400,000 to the district hospital, the mayor added.

De los Reyes also instructed City Social Welfare Officer Felipa Solana to strictly monitor on the patients who will be going to the district hospital. Also, they will be asking the district hospital to send their statement of billing to the city every month for proper monitoring.

De los Reyes said patients come to his office to ask for medical assistance and he gives them the "coupons" which allow them to avail of certain medical services and medicines for free. The coupons are worth P1,500 or more, depending on the needs of the patient.

The CSWO also gives out another form of medical assistance through referrals.

Meanwhile, the mayor also agreed with Agos that indigent patients should be enrolled to Philhealth. As of 2013, there are 3,300 indigent families enrolled to the country's insurance corporation.

The unpaid debts were incurred during the previous administration of then mayor and now City Councilor Socrates Fernandez, between 2011 and 2013.  (FREEMAN)