ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Government (ICG) has expanded access to healthcare services for financially incapacitated Ilonggos after formalizing partnerships with 10 major hospitals under the ICG-Medical Assistance Program known as HAPLOS (Health Assistance sa Pumuluyo, Laboratory kag Ospital Serbis).
Yesterday, Mayor Raisa S. Treñas led the ceremonial signing of the Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with officials or representatives of the partner hospitals.
The initiative is part of the city government’s continuing effort to strengthen health services and ease the burden of Ilonggo families facing medical emergencies.
HAPLOS is a fitting name for the program as it embodies the llonggo brand of care – warm, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of the people. It symbolizes the lloilo City Government, through its partners, reaching out to vulnerable sectors and ensuring that healthcare remains accessible, inclusive, and people-centered.
“Isa gid ang health services sa mga serbisyo nga padayon naton nga ginapabaskog bilang balik nga serbisyo sa aton mga pumuluyo,” the city mayor emphasized.
The partner hospitals are Iloilo Mission Hospital; Asia Pacific Medical Center; St. Paul’s Hospital Iloilo; Iloilo Doctors’ Hospital, Inc.; Medicus Medical Center; Healthway QualiMed Hospital; The Medical City Iloilo; Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center; West Visayas State University Medical Center; and Western Visayas Medical Center.
Qualified beneficiaries endorsed by the Iloilo City Government through the city’s one-stop hub for social services, ATIPAN Center under the Office of the City Mayor, may avail themselves of hospitalization services, diagnostic procedures, laboratory services, medicines, medical supplies, and other necessary medical interventions.
The city mayor thanked the participating hospitals for joining the city government in ensuring accessible healthcare for vulnerable sectors.
“We share the same belief that quality healthcare should not be a privilege for a few, but a right that is accessible to all,” Mayor Treñas said.
She added that the strengthened partnership assures Ilonggos that help is within reach during times of medical need as the city continues building a more compassionate, responsive, and inclusive healthcare system.
In response, Dr. Elmer Pedregosa, hospital director and administrator of Iloilo Mission Hospital, thanked Mayor Treñas and the Iloilo City Government for the initiative, noting that the program would significantly help both indigent patients and partner hospitals.
He said many hospital concerns involve patients who cannot afford to pay for medical services, and that the city’s assistance would help ease the burden on both patients and healthcare institutions, particularly in addressing account receivables for services rendered to financially challenged constituents.
“We are very supportive of this project because it is part of our service to the community and to the people. Just like what you (Mayor Treñas) said, even middle-income families can experience financial difficulties during medical emergencies — how much more those who cannot afford healthcare. This is a very good project and reflects our shared responsibility to provide quality healthcare services to our people,” Pedregosa said.
The partnership was authorized by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) through Resolution No. 2026-0364 allowing the city mayor to enter into and sign the agreements on behalf of the Iloilo City Government.
“The City Government of Iloilo recognizes the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in promoting accessible healthcare service, efficient public service delivery, and the welfare of indigent constituents of Iloilo City,” read part of the SP resolution.
To note, social services got the biggest budget allocation this year, including P20 million for Medical Assistance to Indigents.
Other social services package includes: ₱30 million for Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS); ₱30 million for the Cash-for-Work for the Resilient Community program; ₱30 million for College Education Assistance; ₱17 million for the Supplemental Feeding Program; ₱10 million for socialized housing; and ₱8 million for Indigent Coffin and Funeral Services Assistance.
In addition, the city government has allocated ₱3 million to upgrade the ATIPAN Center which includes the hiring of additional registered social workers and trained professionals to improve service delivery and significantly reduce processing time for Ilonggos seeking assistance.
“Ilonggos can count on strengthened social services that respond to real needs. This budget is not only historic in size but also meaningful in impact,” the mayor earlier said./PN
