Assistance centers set in Mandaue barangays

CEBU, Philippines —  To maximize its services to the residents, the Mandaue City government has opened new assistance centers in all barangays, said Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing in his recent State of the City Address (SOCA).

Quisumbing said that the Hinabang sa Edukasyon, Livelihood ug Panglawas sa tanan or HELPS aims for an efficient delivery of basic services close to the homes of the Mandauehanons.

Financial assistance for medicine, burial or funeral services, education, as well as assistance for solo parents and senior citizens, are among the basic services they provide. It aims to release its assistance within a week.

“My marching orders to all the departments and offices concerned in HELPS Centers stand – that efficiency shall be adhered to at all times, that Mandauehanons shall come first among all else, and the integrity of this program shall be preserved and promoted,” Quisumbing said.

Aside from this, the mayor said the city government has institutionalized the Barangay Service Caravan where other types of services that are similarly provided in City Hall are being catered to their areas such as legal consultation, medical and dental check-up, job application, community tax payments, marriage licenses and birth registration.

Even the simplest forms of services like the nail cleaning, haircut, and massage are also given to barangay residents, according to Quisumbing.

In relation to the social services led by the city government, Quisumbing also revealed that there will be a low-rise housing complex in Barangay Looc which will be built in coordination with the National Housing Authority (NHA).

He added that the three-story building will be completed by the city government and by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB).

Quisumbing said this will address housing concerns.

“To help us with your housing backlogs, your city officials collaborated with the Office of the President, affirming our strong alliance and partnership with the Malacañang,” he said.

Last August 30, during the 49th Charter Day of Mandaue City, President Rodrigo Duterte, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go, and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte joined in the ground breaking ceremony for the Looc housing project and for the new government center near the City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Earlier, mobile kitchens were provided for the City Social Welfare Services (CSWS), another support system in terms of assisting the needs of those survivors of natural disasters such as fire incidents.

“Help and relief are ready and available to those who need it,” Quisumbing said. — GAN (FREEMAN)