MANILA, Philippines — A Quezon City councilor has proposed an ordinance establishing the Quezon City Health Benefit (QCHB) card program providing qualified beneficiaries with out-patient and in-patient care at the city’s designated private and government hospitals.

In proposed ordinance number PO 2011-53, Councilor Jose Mario Don S. De Leon said the cost of availing quality health care and medical services in the urban centers has become unaffordable to the poorest of the poor.

By easing their financial burden, De Leon said the QCHB card will help the qualified beneficiaries cut down on their medical expenses allowing them to allocate more for food, shelter, clothing and other basic necessities.

He noted that the implementation of the program will be integrated at every barangay health center of the city to enable the local government to reach out to the city’s underprivileged sector.

Under the proposed measure, De Leon said the program will cover all cases of in-patient and out-patient care to qualified beneficiaries that will be determined by the city’s Social Service Development Department. (Chito A. Chavez)