Bohol’s First District Representative, Rene L. Relampagos has bared answers to questions regarding his health program, “Health Card ni Rene”, specifically aired over DYTR AM radio station, Thursday. “Health Card ni Rene” is a special program that will give a maximum benefit of P3,000.00 to all cardholders if ever the cardholder is confined as an in-patient in any of the government owned hospitals within the first district of Bohol such as the Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City, Natalio P. Castillo Hospital in Loon, Catigbian District Hospital and the Maribojoc Community Hospital. The said program was launched last February 13, 2013 as his love offering to the people of the first district. He emphasized that the said health program is open to all registered voters of the first district of Bohol. When asked why only those in the first district can avail of the program, he said that those from the 2nd and 3rd also have their own congressmen who have their own health programs for their constituents. When asked why the program has an expiry date, Relampagos explained that much as he would like to lengthen the validity period of the card, the funds from Cong. Relampagos’ PDAF will only last until the end of the year, which explains the expiry date of the card which is December 31, 2013. He said that it is very clear that complaints aired on the radio were politically motivated because the comments were obviously based on lies. He said that it was funny how the questions went from: “Nganong first district ra man?” to “Dihay ninggamit sa health card nga wala honor-i sa ospital.” Cong. Relampagos said that he feels it’s ridiculous explaining why the beneficiaries should only come from the first district. The latter question, he said was even worse owing to the fact that no health card has been issued yet. “As of the moment, we are still processing the applications for registration to the Health Card ni Rene program,” he said. Relampagos emphasized that it is very clear what the intentions of the critics are, “they just want to discredit the program fearing that its implementation will earn us additional pogi points.”

When pressed to comment on why the program is being implemented during the election period, he explained that the program started way before the election ban, specifically during its launching on February 13, 2013 in the towns of Loon and Balilihan. “Dili angay i-question nganong gapadayon ang ingani nga mga programa timpong ting-eleksyon because this is a continuing program. Do we stop it because it’s election time?” Cong. Relampagos remarked. He added that before throwing him baseless attacks, his aggressors should review Comelec regulations first. He reiterated that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued Resolution 9660 stating that the "release, disbursement or expenditures of PDAF" is not covered by the prohibitions stipulated in Sec. 261 (v) of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC). This resolution exempts the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or "pork barrel," from the ban on the disbursement of public funds during the 45-day election period to make sure the lawmakers’ constituents continue to receive the benefits of their projects. The Health Card ni Rene Program is funded by the PDAF of Cong. Relampagos for 2013.

Cong. Relampagos further stressed that “Health Card ni Rene” is just an additional service from him during his first term as first district representative and another way for him to reach out and help his constituents more. He said that registration to avail of the card is voluntary and is for those who will appreciate its benefits regardless if the amount seems little to others. He added that this is just on top of other various health programs he has been doing in his district for the past three years as first-term lawmaker. Cong. Relampagos has been implementing medical and hospital financial assistance program for indigents and has distributed multivitamins to all senior citizens in eight towns including the City of Tagbilaran. He has also provided mini ambulances to some municipalities and barangays through his Project RENE (Responding to Emergency Needs Everyday) and has distributed medical kits to all the barangays in the first district including the city of Tagbilaran through his ‘Botika sa Barangay’ program. He has allocated funds from his PDAF for hospital/medical equipment for certain hospitals in the first district which is on top of the funds allocated for financial assistance to indigent patients of the first district availing of services from Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital, the Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute. He also filed a house bill seeking to amend Act No. 3114, as amended by Batas Pambansa Blg. 640 and Rep. Act No. 7266, to increase the bed capacity of Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) in Tagbilaran City, from two hundred twenty five (225) to four hundred ten (410) beds. He has also joined efforts with NGO’s and private institutions such as the Holy Name University and the Rotary Club in medical missions. In spite of the criticisms, Cong. Relampagos expressed elation that “Health Card ni Rene” will surely help his constituents in their medical needs. He also expressed gratitude to the volunteers who have been helping to make the program successful. (by Jill Christianae R. Robinson)