VSMMC receives P3 million from city government

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government yesterday gave P3 million to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center as reimbursements of the hospital’s expenses for patients who are residents of the city.

Councilor Joey Daluz III, chairman of the City Council committee on budget and finance, said the check was received by VSMMC director Gerardo Aquino, who assured that the hospital will continue attending to the medical needs of the city residents.

Daluz said city residents can avail themselves of medical assistance up to P25,000 each once they are confined either at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) or VSMMC.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, a candidate for congressman of the city’s south district, said the city has decided to grant medical assistance to the residents as the city already started receiving the “fruits” of the South Road Properties.

Aquino informed the City Hall officials that they have already spent more than P2 million for the medical services incurred by the city residents.

Daluz assured the hospital director that once the P3 million would be fully consumed by the city residents, City Hall will again release another budget to the hospital.

The council had allocated P30 million for the project or P15 million for the CCMC and another P15 million for the VSMMC. The assistance will be available only at CCMC and VSMMC.

Daluz said the requirements for patients to avail themselves of the program are tax payment certificates for their residential houses or voter’s certificates from the Commission on Elections to prove that they are residents of the city. – Rene U. Borromeo/LPM (THE FREEMAN)