More than 15,000 residents have benefited from the Makati Lingkod Bayan Caravan since its launch in August last year, covering 18 barangays as of the end of March, Mayor Abigail Binay said on Monday.
A brainchild of Mayor Binay, the caravan is a one-stop shop scheduled twice a month in selected barangays to bring city government services directly to city residents.
“We are pleased with the remarkable turnout at every caravan we have conducted so far. It has made our efforts to improve Makatizens’ access to basic services truly worthwhile,” Binay said.
She added that the crowd-drawing caravan inspired her administration to launch “Ugnayan sa Barangay” where residents get a chance to engage in a face-to-face dialogue with her and other key city government officials. Since January, the dialogue has been held immediately after every caravan.
From August 2016 to March this year, the caravan had served 15,258 residents in 18 barangays. From January to March this year, it was conducted in seven barangays, namely, Cembo, Palanan, San Antonio, West Rembo, La Paz, Guadalupe Nuevo and Sta. Cruz.
From August to December last year, the caravan was conducted in 11 barangays: Pio del Pilar, Guadalupe Viejo, Pinagkaisahan, Valenzuela, South Cembo, Bangkal, Southside, San Isidro, Pitogo, Carmona and Pembo.
On that period, about 5,061 residents availed themselves of free medical consultations provided by doctors from Makati Health Department. Some 1,089 clients were given anti-hypertensive drugs. Free diagnostic services were also made available to residents, such as blood screening for 951 clients, X-ray for 874 clients, and ECG for 780 clients.
Volunteer dentists performed tooth extraction on some 1,063 clients and gave free dentures to 728 clients. Brand new reading glasses were also given to some 3,922 patients, courtesy of the Office of Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo.
Free haircut and massage services were also enjoyed by residents of all ages and genders provided by the Makati Social Welfare Department, with more than 2,000 clients for haircut and about 1,754 clients for massage services.
The learning camp and other youth-oriented activities conducted by the Youth and Sports Development Department drew over 4,700 young residents. They also received free books and toys, courtesy of partner-NGOs. Over 13,800 residents have also benefited from the feeding program.
The free vaccination program of the City Veterinary Services Office has also benefited about 2,007 dogs and cats.
The caravan has consolidated several essential services, including the processing of new applications or renewal of Yellow Card, BLU Card, White Card, and PhilHealth registration by the MSWD, and the services of the City Civil Registration Office.
Processed during the 18 caravans conducted were 1,061 Yellow Cards, 1,104 birth certificates and similar documents, 1,071 PhilHealth memberships, 292 solo parent cards, 125 PWD cards and 60 BLU cards.
Private service providers like Bayad Center, Manila Water/Healthy Family and Meralco have set up authorized payment centers in every caravan where residents can conveniently pay their utility bills. Other private service providers that have joined the caravan include ABS-CBN Mobile, Petron and Globe.
The schedule of the caravan and Ugnayan sa Barangay for May to December 2017 is as follows: Brgy. San Isidro, May 13 (Ford Street); Brgy. Tejeros, May 27; Brgy. Southside, June 3; Brgy. Comembo, June 10; Brgy. Olympia, June 24; Brgy. Singkamas, July 8; Brgy. Pitogo, July 15; Brgy. East Rembo, July 22; and Brgy. Kasilawan, August 5.
Brgy. Northside, August 19; Brgy. Carmona, August 26; Brgy. Poblacion, September 2; Brgy. Guadalupe Viejo, September 16; Barangay Pembo, September 30; Brgy. South Cembo, October 7; Brgy. Rizal, October 21; Brgy. Pio del Pilar, November 4; Brgy. Pinagkaisahan, November 18; Brgy. Valenzuela, December 2; and Brgy. Bangkal, December 9.
Registration starts at 1 p.m., and the caravan closes at 4 p.m. The Ugnayan sa Barangay starts right after the caravan and ends at 6 p.m. The venue for each barangay will be announced later.