MORE residents have been able to avail themselves of free health and social services through the Lingkod Bayan Caravan, Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay said.
Binay added there was a significant increase in the turnout of clients after she ordered longer service hours for each activity held on Saturdays in designated barangays in the first quarter of the year. She had previously ordered the caravan to be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (five hours).
“We have extended the service hours of the caravan from the previous three hours to accommodate more residents, especially for free medical services, which has remained a consistent ‘bestseller’ in every caravan,” Binay said.
From January to March, the Lingkod Bayan Caravan, Binay’s brainchild, was able to visit six barangays where a total of 10,739 Makati residents participated. Compared with around 30,000 clients served for the entire 2017, the recent turnout markedly improved, she noted.
The lady mayor also initiated longer hours for Ugnayan sa Barangay dialog, now being held from 3 to 6 p.m. instead of the previous 4 to 6 p.m. The open forum is attended by the Mayor, Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, Rep. Luis N. Campos of the Second District of Makati, and various department heads and key city officials, who provide instant feedback to questions or concerns of residents.
“We have added a portion where department heads can present recent accomplishments and explain current or future projects for the benefit of Makatizens. We want to bring them up to speed on the latest developments in the city, aside from promptly addressing their concerns,” the mayor said.
Barangays visited by the twin events since January included Palanan, San Antonio and La Paz in District 1; and East Rembo, West Rembo and Rizal in District 2.
From January to March, 4,803 residents underwent nutritional assessment and medical consultation services; 409 had x-ray examinations; 361, ECG testing; 2,407, vital signs and blood pressure testing; 674, blood typing; 488 blood-sugar testing; and 4,387, height and weight measurement.
Dental services were offered to 773 clients, with 502 having tooth extraction and 271 fitted for free dentures. A total of 1,368 Makatizens also underwent free eye consultation.
Meanwhile, under the sponsorship of the vice mayor, 1,677 city residents received free reading glasses. Eyeglasses, hearing aids and wheelchairs are provided to Makatizens upon request.
Some 870 individuals got free massage services, while 889 got free haircuts. Veterinary services were also provided to household pets, with a total of 946 dogs and 85 cats vaccinated against rabies during caravans held in the first quarter.
