ILOILO City – This city is taking City Hall to the barangays, rolling out a weekly service caravan that brings medical aid, financial assistance and other frontline government services closer to residents who would otherwise have to travel to government offices.
More than 1,000 residents registered for various services during the first Atipan-on-the-Move held in Barangay Calaparan, Arevalo district on October 2, showing strong demand for neighborhood-based access to government assistance.
Mayor Raisa Treñas said the initiative is intended to cut the time, travel and effort residents spend going to City Hall by bringing government personnel and programs directly into communities.
“Amo ini ang matuod-tuod nga serbisyo — malapit, accessible, kag aksyon para sa kada Ilonggo. Indi na ninyo kinahanglan magkadto sa City Hall, kami ang makadto sa inyo,” Treñas said.
The caravan offered financial, medical, burial, livelihood and educational assistance, as well as HAPLOS, Pabunyag sa Syudad, medical and dental consultations and free medicines.
MediSen+ maintenance medicines were also made available to qualified senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Other frontline services included identification card processing, legal and civil registry services, business registration, employment assistance and veterinary services.
Treñas said particular attention would be given to HAPLOS, the city government’s medical assistance program, to simplify the process residents must go through when seeking help with medical expenses.
Beyond delivering government assistance, Atipan-on-the-Move will also serve as a mechanism for identifying problems and needs at the barangay level.
The Iloilo Flood Control and Drainage Office (IFCO) declogging team joined the Calaparan caravan, allowing residents to report areas frequently affected by flooding for inspection and possible intervention.
The initiative thus gives residents an opportunity not only to avail themselves of government services but also to directly raise community concerns that require action from City Hall.
Treñas also announced several projects for Calaparan.
Renovation of the barangay gymnasium is scheduled to begin this week, while solar lights will be installed along selected footpaths and alleys. The Daycare Center in Zone 10 is also set for repairs.
The city government said the next Atipan-on-the-Move will be held on October 9 from 8 a.m. to noon in another barangay.
The city government plans to hold the caravan every Friday in different barangays across Iloilo City, effectively turning the program into a regular mobile extension of City Hall services./PN