By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
PASIG CITY — Two former political allies of Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto on Tuesday (May 6) revealed the alleged anomaly on the Pasig City Children’s Hospital (PCCH) which was converted into a General Hospital.
In a press conference at Calle Preciosa Restaurant, former Barangay Bambang Councilman Ram Cruz said that it originated from an ordinance converting the PCCH into a General Hospital.
The PCCH was also used during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The PhilHealth bill bloated to almost PhP10 million which PhilHealth disapproved.
Cruz noted that patients confined at PCCH should be less than 18 years old to be covered by PhilHealth and the 19 years old and above patients or adult patients are not covered by PhilHealth because the DOH has not yet approved its conversion into a General Hospital.
The DOH just visited the PCCH five days ago and the PCCH stopped the processing of PhilHealth benefits or coverage.
As an ordinary citizen, Cruz said that it’s technical malversation as the PCCH has no permit to operate as a General Hospital.
He added that the Child Hope’s Hospital operated as a General Hospital with the authorization from the City Council.
However, the claims for PhilHealth insurance benefits of the Child’s Hope Hospital for their adult patients were not processed or approved by PhilHealth.
He noted that the Child’s Hope Hospital is already recognized as a General Hospital but without the approval of the DOH and yet its renovation has not yet been completed.
Cruz said that the aggrieved party is the PCCH itself.
He is running for Pasig City Councilor in the May 12 midterm elections under the Liberal Party.
The latest documents for PhilHealth benefits claims were dated Nov. 14, 2024.
In the July 8, 2024 document, it shows that the renovation alone of the Child’s Hope Hospital costs PhP315 million.
Former Barangay Manggahan Councilman Bobby Hapin said that the PCCH was used as a facility during the Covid-19 pandemic from March 15, 2020 until December 2022.
The conversion of the PCCH into a General Hospital put in question the congestion of the said hospital.
Has the DOH approved the conversion of the PCCH into a General Hospital? Hapin asked.
“The truth is that the conversion has not yet been approved by the DOH so that the adult patients can be admitted in the said hospital,” Hapin said.
Hapin said that he is also a non-lawyer. it would appear that only 18 years old and below are the only patients accepted into the Child’s Hope Hospital.
“You should tell the truth and the truth shall set you free,” Hapin said.
He noted that there are documents for PhP9.6 million to PhP10 million claims for PhilHealth benefits but were “denied”.
“Win or lose,” Hapin said, “we will continue to expose for truth and transparency.”
He added that they are continuously studying and monitoring the existing programs and projects even before they entered politics.
Hapin cited the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato, which both implement “zero billing” for the hospitalization of their constituents, as good examples of good governance.
He stressed that a savings of PhP1 billion alone can be used for the construction of a new hospital for the better health services for the residents of Pasig.
Hapin is running as an Independent Councilor in the second district of Pasig. ###
