In an effort to improve the health and well-being of indigent senior citizens in the community, the Bacolod City Council has passed an ordinance providing maintenance medicine for hypertension and diabetes to indigent senior citizens.
The initiative aims to provide access to necessary medication for eligible beneficiaries, ensuring they receive proper treatment and care for their medical conditions.
Proposed by Committee on Senior Citizens and Veteran Affairs Chairperson Councilor Celia Matea Flor, with Councilors Simple Distrito and Claudio Jesus Raymundo Puentevella as co-proponents, the ordinance was passed on third and final reading on April 12, 2023.
The initial budget of Php 4,000,000.00 (Four Million Pesos) has been allocated for the purchase of various maintenance medicines for hypertension and diabetes.
Flor said that since the budget for this year has already been allocated, the ordinance will possibly be effective next year or if the council files for a supplemental budget at the end of 2023. This delay allows for proper implementation of the program, including the identification of eligible beneficiaries and ensuring proper access to medication.
Eligible beneficiaries are indigent senior citizens who have been residents of Bacolod City for at least 6 months. To avail the medication, they need to undergo a check-up by public health practitioners and receive a prescription, according the ordinance. Beneficiaries should enroll in their respective Barangays, and then finally receive the medicines.
