ANTIQUE — The Provincial Development Council of Antique has approved additional funding for the purchase of medicines and medical supplies for hospitals in the province following a proposal from Gov. Paolo Javier.
During a recent council meeting, Javier—who chairs the PDC—proposed allocating a portion of the province’s 20 percent national wealth share to fund the Institutional Provincial Electric Subsidy (IPEPS) program.
The proposed subsidy will cover electricity expenses of provincial government facilities, including the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital, district hospitals, the New Capitol building, museums, the Binirayan Sports Complex, and other government offices outside the main capitol grounds.
Javier said the provincial government currently spends between P40 million and P50 million annually on electricity.
By shouldering these expenses through IPEPS, the provincial government could free up funds from the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of hospitals, allowing the savings to be redirected to the purchase of medicines and other medical needs.
“Yung P50 million ng MOOE could be declared as savings and can be used for purchasing medicines para sa ating mga kailangan sa hospitals. I think that’s a way we can sustain the needs of our patients at our hospitals,” Javier said.
In response, PDC members approved the inclusion of the IPEPS under the Supplemental Annual Investment Program (SAIP) No. 2 for Calendar Year 2026, allocating P40 million for the program under the social sector.
The council also approved another proposal of the governor to include P194 million from the Presidential Social Fund in SAIP No. 2 for 2026, enabling the provincial government to implement programs supported by the fund.
Of the amount, P97 million will be allocated for rice programs, while another P97 million will be used for the purchase of medicines and medical equipment for provincial and district hospitals.
The funding was confirmed on February 23 when Javier attended the launching of the “Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Makikinabang” program led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang Palace.
Javier said the additional funding would significantly benefit the province’s healthcare services and residents in need of medical assistance.
“This year, those two inclusions would be of great benefit to our hospitals and, of course, to every Antiqueno who needs equipment and medical services sa atun probinsya,” he said.
The governor has also sought the support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Antique for the approval of SAIP No. 2 for 2026 to facilitate the implementation of the fund allocations for medicines and hospital equipment./PN
