ILOILO City – Why does the city government bring its services direct to the grassroots through the “Pag-ulikid Sang Syudad” program?
“The people are always part of every city’s progress and development. Without them, nothing is possible,” explained Mayor Jose Espinosa III.
Over the weekend, the community outreach program served nearly 3,000 more residents – over 1,000 in Barangay Veterans Village and over 1,500 in Barangay Zamora-Melliza, both in the City Proper.
Under Pag-ulikid, the City Health Office (CHO) and its Dental Health Division offer free dental and medical services and free circumcision procedures.
The Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) provides identification cards for senior citizens.
The City Veterinarian’s Office conducts free dog vaccinations.
The City Civil Registry Office assists those who have issues with birth certificates and marriage contracts.
“Biskan ano pa kaprogresibo sang aton syudad kun indi ina mabatyagan sang mga pumuluyo, wala man ina sa gihapon pulos. They are the reasons we have this program,” said Espinosa.
During Pag-ulikid visits to the barangays, the city government also distributes wheelchairs and canes to poor persons with disabilities, along with a jetmatic pump, and sports equipment such as basketballs, volleyballs and chessboards.
“Gusto ko tanan nga sectors maka–ambit man sing ginatawag nga progreso. Wala kita ginakalimtan, halin sa mga estudyante, mga kabataan, asta sa mga senior citizens,” said Espinosa.
City Administrator Hernando Galvez said Espinosa thought of the Pag-ulikid program after visiting a barangay on the outskirts of the city where he met an elderly constituent.
“Si mayor may nakilala didto nga senior citizen, advanced age na, pero wala gihapon Senior Citizen ID,” said Galvez. “Nabuksan ang iya nga ideya nga mas manami siguro kun ang serbisyo direkta sa mga pumuluyo.”/PN
