CEBU, Philippines - Congressman Benhur Salimbangon is set to meet Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro anytime this week regarding the disbursement of funds for his health assistance program.
Salimbangon said that he will visit Corro in his office after learning that the mayor is also willing to talk on the matter.
When he assumed office last month, Corro has kept himself off from disbursing the funds of Salimbangon deposited in the municipality during the previous administration for the program.
Corro said he still has to look for the guidelines in the disbursement of the funds.
Salimbangon has an existing memorandum of agreement between the Province of Cebu on the use of Benhur Health Card in the province-owned district hospitals in Bogo City, Daanbantayan and Bantayan.
Salimbangon provides funds at the district hospitals to be used for the medical expenses of cardholders up to P10,000 for major operation.
Earlier this year, Salimbangon instead deposited the funds to the local government units of Daanbantayan, Medellin and Bantayan after cardholders were reportedly denied at hospitals when Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale assumed as acting governor when then governor Gwendolyn Garcia was suspended for six months.
Magpale belongs to the Liberal Party while Salimbangon belongs to One Cebu led by Garcia.
Salimbangon gave P1.25 million to Daanbantayan whose mayor then was Maria Luisa Loot, an ally of Salimbangon, for patients in the district hospital of the town.
Corro of LP said that he was informed that no memorandum of agreement has been entered into by Salimbangon and Loot in relation to the disbursement of funds.
This prompted Corro to refer the matter to the Commission on Audit which in return told him that a MOA is needed.
Corro stressed that he cannot be in the position to approve any payments in the absence of the MOA. Corro added that if the program resumes, he would want that anyone can avail of the assistance.
The card is among the requirements in availing of the assistance to make sure that the user really comes from the fourth district.
But Salimbangon said that in the absence of health card, any identification card that can prove the residency of the patient can be soon used to avail of the assistance.
Meanwhile, Salimbangon lauded Corro and the municipal council for allowing the use of ambulance for free.
Salimbangon said it would complement the use of his multicabs in the barangays in bringing patients to hospitals and other emergencies. — (FREEMAN)