NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, 3rd District Representative Jose Francisco Benitez, Provincial Consultant for Economic Affairs Albee Benitez, Abang Lingkod party-list Representative Stephen Joseph Paduano, Talisay City Mayor Neil Lizares, III and several others led the distribution of the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Cards (NOCHP) to 2,327 NOCHP enrollees held at the public plaza of Talisay City on Friday, September 27.

Governor Lacson said, “Talisay has currently 14,328 enrollees and 54% are senior citizens.”

There were 13, 718 NOCHP patients who were served in Talisay City alone.

The Provincial Government spent P9,230,000 for the NOCHP beneficiaries in Talisay City and P287 million in the whole province since 2010.

The Governor urged the Talisaynons that despite the fact that they now have their NOCHP card, they should still take good care of their health and avoid abusing their selves.

Provincial Consultant on Economic Affairs former 3rd District Representative Albee Benitez said NOCHP started in the district in 2010.

“We continue this program because this health card is a big help to our residents in terms of addressing their health needs,” he said.

He said that 3rd District has 84 percent of the total NOCHP coverage because the program is very important to families in times of need for medication.

Talisay has the lowest number of NOCHP accreditation thus the barangay officials need to double time in enrolling the residents of Talisay.

“If you have problem that you cannot understand about NOCHP, just go to the Help Desk at the Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital,” he said.

Third District Representative Jose Francisco Benitez said the passage of the Universal Health Care Act of Department of Health is underway and this will be an add-on to the NOCHP benefits of our people.

“Let us take care of the NOCHP cards because this will help you. Your sickness is not transferrable to others. Whether you are rich or poor, sickness is unavoidable, thus we need to take good care of our health,” he said.

The distribution was also graced by actor Javi Benitez and Sue Ramirez.