Ordinance passed for indigents

BATAC CITY, Sept 1 — The Sangguniang Panlungsod here has passed an ordinance that would implement a social fund program to address the social needs of poor and marginalized sectors in this city.
The city council said the passage of the ordinance is simply an exercise of their power under the Local Government Code in intensifying good governance for the promotion of general welfare.

“Every local government unit should provide basic services and facilities devolved to them covering among others, health and social service,” Batac City Vice Mayor Ronald Allan Nalupta said.

The social fund program covers primarily health care which includes access to secondary and tertiary health services, purchase of medicines, medical supplies and equipment needed to carry out the devolved health services and programs.

Furthermore, programs and projects for the youth and children, family and community, women, elderly and the disabled are covered under the ordinance.

Nalupta also said this is the best time for the city government to assist its constituents considering the increasing prices of basic commodities and medical services.

The ordinance calls for an initial funding of P5 million from the city’s general fund this year. For every request, a maximum amount of P30,000 wllll be released to give chances to succeeding requests.

All requests will be strictly validated and determined with the help of the social welfare office and the city health office, Nalupta said.

The vice-mayor clarified that the program is not limited to indigents but the ordinance will give them priority.

Beneficiaries of the program must be bonafide residents of the city, must have endorsement letter from the mayor, medical prescriptions and other documents related to the request. (ANL/CDG-PIA 1, Ilocos Norte)