The city government of Makati announced on Thursday its Caravan Public Service program has benefited more than 8,000 residents in 11 barangays since it was launched in August last year.
The caravan, a brainchild of Mayor Abigail Binay, aims to bring city government services directly to Makati residents. It is a one-stop-shop program scheduled twice a month that offers a wide range of services for free from various frontline city hall offices, in partnership with J.C. Binay Foundation and other nongovernment organizations.
Binay said from August to December, the caravan has served 8,489 residents in 11 barangays—Pio del Pilar, Guadalupe Viejo, Pinagkaisahan, Valenzuela, South Cembo, Bangkal, Southside, San Isidro, Pitogo, Carmona and Pembo.
During that period, over 2,600 residents availed of free medical consultations with doctors from the Makati Health Department. About 728 clients were given anti-hypertensive drugs.
Free diagnostic services were also made available to residents, such as blood screening for 651 clients, X-ray for 540, and ECG for 386 clients, the mayor added.
Volunteer dentists also gave free dentures to some 394 clients, and 1,778 patients got new reading glasses, courtesy of the Office of Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo.
Residents of all ages and genders enjoyed the free haircut and massage services provided by the Makati Social Welfare Department, with more than 800 clients each.
The learning camp and other activities conducted by the Youth and Sports Development Department drew over 1,400 Makati children. They also received free books and toys, courtesy of partner NGOs. Over 6,000 residents also benefited from the feeding program.
The free vaccination program was also a hit among pet owners, with 1,140 dogs and cats vaccinated by the City Veterinary Services Office.
The caravan has also 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 11 caravans conducted were 569 Yellow Cards, 336 birth certificates and similar documents, 584 PhilHealth memberships, 105 solo parent cards and 45 PWD cards.
Residents also conveniently paid their utility bills as Bayad Center, Manila Water and Meralco set up authorized payment centers in every caravan.
Other private service providers that joined the caravan included ABS-CBN Mobile, Petron and SMSP Marketing Services.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Mayor has announced the schedule of the caravan through the barangays for January to September 2017, as follows: Cembo, January 14; Palanan, January 28; San Antonio, February 4; West Rembo, February 18; La Paz, March 4; Guadalupe Nuevo, March 18; Sta. Cruz, April 8; Rizal, May 13; and Tejeros, May 27.
It continues at Comembo, June 10; Olympia, June 24; Singkamas, July 8; Kasilawan, August 5; Northside, August 19; and Poblacion, September 2. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the caravan closes at around noon. The venue for each barangay will be announced later.
