ILOILO City – True to her commitment to bring government services closer to the people, Mayor Raisa S. Treñas has brought City Hall services directly to Ilonggos in their own communities through the Iloilo City Government’s Atipan-on-the-Move: Bulig nga Mabatyagan, Serbisyo Para sa Tanan.
Launched on October 2 in Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo, the initiative brought various city government offices and services directly to residents, particularly those who face difficulties traveling to City Hall to seek assistance. The caravan proceeded to Barangay Calumpang, Molo, on October 9, with combined registrations from the first two activities exceeding 2,000.
“Isa ini sa mga promisa naton nga papana-ugon naton ang aton mga serbisyo para mas mabatyagan sang aton mga pumuluyo. Gani, ginsiguro naton nga ang tanan nga programa nga pwede naton madala, ara sa Atipan-on-the-Move,” Mayor Treñas said.
For the mayor, bringing services to the barangays means making government assistance more accessible and convenient, especially for residents who have limited mobility, face financial constraints, or need help navigating government processes.
The impact of this commitment was evident in the experience of Queen Alyssa Yap, 24, a fresh graduate who found a job through the caravan’s Assistance to Employment (ATE) program of the Public Employment Service Office (PESO).
After two weeks of searching for work, Yap was hired on the spot during the October 9 caravan in Calumpang.
“I am very happy and thankful for this event because it helped me. Kay sa two weeks ko nga pagpangita sang obra, ini nga programa naghatag sa akon sang hope,” she said.
Yap thanked Mayor Treñas and the city government for providing employment opportunities for fresh graduates like her, expressing hope that the program would continue to help more job seekers.
Another beneficiary, 57-year-old Rosanie Tagudando of Zone 2, Barangay Calumpang, Molo, experienced first-hand the value of bringing services directly to the community.
A person with disability (PWD) who suffered a stroke in 2019, Tagudando has difficulty moving around. Through Atipan-on-the-Move, she received a free wheelchair, helping address one of her daily mobility needs.
“Maayo gid (nga ginadala sa barangay ang mga serbisyo sang City Hall). Pareho sa akon, indi na ako kalakat didto. Maski diri lang ko sa barangay, sa imo na nagakadto ang bulig, indi nga ikaw ang nagakadto didto,” she said.
Visibly emotional, Tagudando thanked Mayor Treñas and the city government for the assistance, saying the wheelchair would be especially helpful when she needs to wait in line or sit for extended periods.
Her experience underscores the importance of making government services accessible to residents who find traveling to City Hall physically challenging.
SERVICES WHERE PEOPLE NEED THEM
Atipan-on-the-Move brings together various city government offices to provide services ranging from healthcare assistance, medical and dental consultations, social and financial assistance, employment services, and civil registry transactions to the processing of Senior Citizen and Solo Parent IDs, free notarization, legal consultations, and vaccination for dogs and cats.
Mayor Treñas said the initiative was also prompted by the realization that many residents remain unaware of the services and programs they can access through the city government.
By bringing these services directly to the barangays, the city aims to reduce the need for residents to make separate trips to City Hall, helping save time and transportation expenses while making assistance easier to access.
The caravan also allows residents to raise concerns and learn about programs suited to their needs, giving the city government a more direct way to connect with communities.
A CONTINUING COMMITMENT
Mayor Treñas assured residents that Atipan-on-the-Move will continue every Friday in different barangays across Iloilo City until the end of 2026 and into the following year.
The city government also plans to further expand and improve the initiative to reach more Ilonggos, particularly those who remain unaware of the services available to them.
From a fresh graduate gaining access to employment to a PWD receiving a wheelchair, the first two caravans have shown how bringing government services closer to communities can translate into practical assistance and opportunities.
Through Atipan-on-the-Move, Mayor Treñas’ commitment is being carried out on the ground: instead of requiring residents to go to City Hall for every need, the city government is taking its services directly to the people./PN
