Medical subsidy for residents of mountain barangays eyed

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Tomas Osmeña announced yesterday that the city is working on a program that would shoulder up to P25,000 of hospital expenses of residents from the mountain barangays who will be confined in government hospitals.

Aside from this, the city is also reportedly buying a brand new ambulance that would be stationed either in barangay Sinsin or Sudlon II to be used in emergency situations.

The mayor made the announcements to residents of barangays Sinsin, Sudlon 1 and Sudlon II at the Sudlon II sports complex. Osmeña went to the mountain barangays together with the candidates of Bando Osmeña – Pundok Kauswagan.

Present yesterday were Osmeña’s wife, Margot, who is running for councilor and Vice Mayor Michael Rama and education consultant Joy Augustus Young, BOPK’s mayoralty and vice mayoralty bets, respectively.

“Kon makompleto na ang pag-andam sa mga dukomento, libre na unya ang inyong mga tambal ug ubang bayranan apil na ang laboratory examination kon magpatambal kamo diha sa mga government hospital,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña explained that the medical assistance intends to cover those who will be confined at the Cebu City Medical Center and at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. The city is also reportedly planning to put up a pharmacy from which residents can buy medicines at factory price.

The mayor said the financial assistance will operate through a trust fund. He said the city will do its best to have the fund cover not only the senior citizens, but also the other members of their family.

“Nalipay kaayo mi nga mga senior citizens kay gawas nga gipanghatagan mi ug tag kwatro mil pesos, unya dugangan pa niya ug laing kwatro mil pesos karong Abril, daghan pa g’yod ug proyekto si mayor para namo,” an old woman said.

Others were heard saying, “Kanindot sa maong programa kon mapatuman dayon. Kana maoy maayo nga buhaton sa mga opisyal.”

In a separate development, Osmeña announced that the city has already appropriated P3 million to each of the mountain barangays and tasked the barangay officials to identify their priority projects, such as the repair of roads.

Osmeña told the crowd yesterday that the financial assistance is one way for the city to share the profits of the South Road Properties with the mountain barangays.

Osmeña said the city is expecting to earn P2.7 billion more because SM Prime Holdings Corporation is reportedly serious in its intention to build a giant mall and other commercial buildings at the SRP.

Osmeña encouraged the residents of the mountain barangays to send their children to study nursing at CCMC’s school of nursing because they will be prioritized during enrolment. The city also operates a boarding house for only P300 per month. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO