Lipa City, Batangas – The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC), through its Security and Safety Department, participated in the Public Hearing of the Committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriation chaired by Hon. Avior R. Rocafort on October 4, 2024, at 9:30 AM, held at the 3rd Floor Session Hall, Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, Lipa City. The official invitation for the hearing was dated October 1, 2024.
The session formally commenced at 10:14 AM and was attended by representatives from various government agencies, private educational institutions, and private drug rehabilitation centers. The agenda focused on key financial and health-related proposals relevant to the city’s 2025 fiscal year.
Among the topics discussed were the budget allocation for medicines supporting mental health programs, sourced from the proposed Annual Budget for 2025, and the 30% financial assistance of the Lipa City Government for Lepiño patients confined in private rehabilitation centers, which will be established through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with these private facilities.
Additionally, the committee discussed the MOA between the Local Government Unit (LGU) and private drug rehabilitation centers in Lipa City, as well as a proposed collaboration between private schools and universities offering Psychology programs and the Lipa City Rehabilitation Center to enhance mental health care and community rehabilitation efforts.
Other agenda items included a proposal for detaining drug users in accredited rehabilitation centers instead of standard detention facilities, and the removal of the indigency requirement for city transactions such as scholarships, burial assistance, and medical aid, ensuring wider access to public services.
The public hearing was adjourned at 11:40 AM, following a comprehensive discussion of the proposals that aim to strengthen the city’s mental health initiatives, social welfare access, and inter-institutional collaboration.
UB Lipa’s active participation reflects its sustained commitment to community partnership and social development, supporting Lipa City’s efforts to promote inclusive governance, public health advocacy, and collaborative solutions across sectors.