Negros Occidental officials yesterday agreed to create a foundation to run a provincial health insurance program, primarily to help the poor, with an initial funding estimated at P240 million, Gov. Isidro Zayco said.

Zayco said that, along with Vice Gov. Emilio Yulo III, he met with the provincial board members, congressmen, mayors and vice mayors of Negros Occidental at Nature’s Village in Talisay to come up with a consensus.

He said Representatives Alfredo Marañon III (2nd District), Jose Carlos Lacson (3rd District), Jeffrey Ferrer (4th District), and Genaro Alvarez (6th District) have committed their support.

The foundation, which will be an apolitical body run by professionals, will be funded with contributions from the provincial government, the congressmen and the towns and cities of Negros Occidental that initially will be about P240 million, Zayco said.

It will run a provincial insurance program that will cover the needs of Negrenses, especially the poor, when hospitalized, he said.

By creating a local health insurance system, the money contributed to the foundation, will also stay in the province, unlike contributions to PhilHealth and other insurance firms, the governor said.

The insurance system will also be open to Negrenses prepared to make monthly contributions of P150, he said.

The foundation will hopefully be in place by October and will start its provincial insurance system by late this year or early next years, Zayco said.

Among the members of the working committee for its creation are doctors Eric Satratan – Talisay mayor, Jilson Tubillara – San Enrique mayor,  Melvin Ibañez – 5th district board member, Miller Serondo – 2nd district board member, and  Rhoel Mogul, Zayco said.*CPG

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