MANILA, Philippines — The Makati City government has announced that residents of the enlisted men's barrios (EMBO) barangays will have free access to the city's service caravans and health facilities.
In a press release on Thursday, the Makati local government unit (LGU) said that EMBO residents can avail of free services from the city’s “Lingkod Bayan Caravan,” which is regularly scheduled on a Saturday.
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“We have been receiving numerous complaints from EMBO residents about lack of access to basic health services. We are also concerned for residents and senior citizens who can no longer avail themselves of free, unlimited dialysis sessions and free maintenance medicines which Makati provides,” the press release read, quoting Makati Mayor Abby Binay.
"Even though the EMBO barangays are no longer under Makati, we feel it is our moral responsibility to ensure their access to essential health services. Our care and support extend beyond geographical boundaries," she added.
Health services offered during the caravan, according to Binay, will include free check-ups, x-rays, ECGs, FBS, blood typing and free medicines.
Services also available to EMBO residents include pet vaccination, pet microchipping, legal aid, job fair and assistance from utility concessionaires Meralco and Manila Water.
According to Binay, EMBO residents can start to avail of the free services on February 12.
For this service, four of the barangay health centers will accommodate both residents of Makati and the EMBO barangays.
The barangays with health centers that will accommodate the residents are:
- Bangkal
- Poblacion
- Kasilawan
- Guadalupe Nuevo
Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that Taguig City has the rightful jurisdiction over Fort Bonifacio and the 10 EMBO barangays effectively transferring the jurisdiction of the said areas to Taguig City.
As a result, the Makati LGU on January 12 allowed free consultations for EMBO residents in health centers and the Ospital ng Makati, as the residents lost their healthcare privileges from Makati. — with reports from the Star/Nillicent Bautista