CEBU, Philippines - The City of Bogo has downloaded P300,000 to the Province of Cebu for medical assistance for indigent patients admitted at the Severo Verallo Memorial District Hospital in the said city.
Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr. and Acting Governor Agnes Magpale has entered into a memorandum of agreement for the use of the said funds at the province-owned hospital.
The Provincial Board has authorized Magpale to sign the agreement through a resolution sponsored by Board Member Peter John Calderon that was recently passed.
Board Member Sun Shimura of the fourth district where Bogo City is part of has raised concern on the use of the said fund though he lauded the program.
“Election man gud, delikado kaayo kay karon pa nahitabo nga dunay assistance gikan sa Bogo City para sa hospital,†Shimura said. (It’s election time and it’s the first time Bogo gave assistance.)
Shimura belongs to the opposition One Cebu Party allied with suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia while Martinez is an ally of Magpale of the Liberal Party.
Shimura also inquired if giving of financial assistance to indigent patients during election period is allowed by the Commission on Elections.
Calderon who chairs the PB committee on laws said that if it is covered by election ban, then it cannot be disbursed.
Shimura is appealing to Martinez not to use the funds for politics.
Martinez is seeking reelection against neophyte, Daphne Salimbangon while his son, former mayor Celestino “Tining†Martinez III, is running for congressman against Salimbangon’s father, incumbent Rep. Benhur Salimbangon of One Cebu.
Bogo City is a recipient of the P300,000 from the Senator Manuel Villar Jr. intended for medical and cash assistance for indigent patients at the hospital in the city that is soon to be called a provincial hospital.
Bogo City proposed to the Capitol that through endorsement of Mayor Martinez, the hospital shall honor and grant to the beneficiary the scheduled amount.
For ordinary cases, the beneficiary is entitled to P3,000; for minor surgery, P5,000 and for major surgery, P6,000.
The hospital shall be the one to collect from the city government the amount taken as financial assistance to patients regardless of residence.
It was also agreed that future funds allocated by the city government from whichever source of similar nature and intent shall be deemed subject to the agreement entered into. —(FREEMAN)