NOCHP Sees Surge in Beneficiaries as Program Marks 15th Year

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP) continues to make strides in expanding access to affordable healthcare, with 2025 recording a notable increase in beneficiaries as the program celebrates its 15th anniversary.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced during the anniversary celebration at Negros Residences on Tuesday morning that 6,885 Negrenses have already availed of NOCHP services this year, surpassing the total number of beneficiaries for the whole of 2024.

Since its launch 15 years ago, the program has extended assistance to over 52,000 residents across Negros Occidental, underscoring the provincial government’s sustained commitment to inclusive and equitable healthcare.

Financial records also indicate significant growth in utilization. As of September 2025, total claims under NOCHP reached ₱78,295,719, exceeding the ₱74,133,990 total for 2024.

Most claims this year were concentrated in three key areas:

Inpatient care (45%) – hospital confinement and surgical procedures for low-income families;

Prescription medication subsidies (30%) – support for maintenance and chronic illness medicines;

Diagnostic tests (20%) – laboratory services and preventive screenings such as X-rays, mammograms, and developmental assessments.

Governor Lacson said the growth in numbers reflects both the program’s efficiency and the public’s confidence in government health initiatives.

“These figures are not just data points—they represent Negrenses who received timely care, avoided catastrophic medical expenses, and felt supported by their province,” he said.

A 2025 beneficiary survey cited by Lacson revealed that 89 percent of respondents reported reduced financial stress due to healthcare costs, while 76 percent said they now have better access to regular medical consultations.

The Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP) was launched in 2009 as a flagship initiative of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental to provide free and affordable healthcare services to marginalized Negrenses during the time of the late Governor Alfredo Maran̈on Jr.

Initially envisioned as a safety net for families not covered by national health insurance, NOCHP was institutionalized under a provincial ordinance to ensure continuity across administrations.

The program covers outpatient consultations, hospitalization, diagnostics, prescription medicines, and dental care through a network of accredited public and private healthcare facilities.

Each member is entitled to ₱5,000 in annual health assistance that can be used for laboratory tests, radiologic procedures, surgeries, and medicines. The program also promotes preventive health practices through regular check-ups and medical missions in rural communities.

Over the years, NOCHP has been recognized as one of the province’s most sustainable social health innovations, complementing national efforts to achieve universal health coverage and improve the quality of life of Negrenses.