BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
July 24, 2019

Former Rep. Alfredo Benitez, who is now the consultant on economic affairs of the provincial government of Negros Occidental, is eyeing to make the Negros Occidental Health Care Program revenue generating, without sacrificing its services and affordability.

Former Rep. Alfredo Benitez (center) with Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod Partylist) and Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District).*

The NOCHP, that was launched in 2010 to provide health insurance to indigent families in Negros Occidental, has more than 300,000 member-families in the province.

The 3rd district of Negros Occidental has the most number of families enrolled in the NOCHP, covering about 80 percent of its population.

Benitez said he is eyeing to absorb the hospitals, that used to be under the Economic Enterprise Development Division, to make it more revenue generation.

He vowed to further improve the NOCHP service and expand it, noting that it is not at the same level with the 3rd district, and to encourage them to participate.

NOCHP provides free hospitalization to members in all the district hospitals in Negros Occidental.

Oncemost of our populationare insured, the next question is service.

Asked how he will generate income from NOCHP, Benitez said, “Coming from the private sector, hopefully my experience coming from the business world, would help in finding ways to generate income and employment in business enterprises entered into by the province”.

He said he wants to assess the programs and projects, as far as economic development is concerned, to determine its status and what has been done. From there, we will formulate where will be heading to.

Benitez said he will focus on pushing for investments that bring in money that stays in Negros Occidental, noting that retail investors draw money out.

“We want businesses that create jobs and inclusive growth,”he said, citing the tourism and information technology industries.*