BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The lawyer-spokesman of incoming Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said the incoming administration is rolling out “holistic and sustainable” programs on healthcare and housing.
In fact, even when Benitez is officially set to become mayor of this highly-urbanized capital noontime of the end of June yet, he had already got the approval of private hospitals here to become part of his Comprehensive Health Insurance Program.
“Let the good times roll on housing,” Lyzander “Bong” Dilag said today, sounding excited during his first presser with local police spox, Lt. Col. Sherlock Gabana.
Dilag said the incoming administration has set its sights on launching comprehensive healthcare and housing programs as he gave some specifics about the two programs.
Dilag told the media in attendance that Benitez has already gained the support of private hospitals for the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Insurance Program that is to relieve the financial weight of hospitalization among Bacolodnons.
Once implemented, the free health insurace will cover a maximum of P50,000 in downpayment for either government or private medical centers in the city.
Benitez’s leadership shall also take the same approach in realizing the housing project in collaboration with non-profit Joly Homes Foundation (JHF) that will conduct only the profiling, Dilag said.
The JHF shall take part in studying and profiling the program site based on its sustainability, the people’s actual situations and their capacity to pay.
Unlike other housing programs, Dilag said that the two to three-storey residences shall be built on-site, in-city, or near-city without dislocating the informal settler families from their livelihoods.
The said housing initiative shall also equip the beneficiaries with livelihood sales training, value formation, educational awareness programs, and spiritual undertakings.
“The mayor envisions to bring about a holistic development,” Dilag added.