Receiving the vehicles during a simple ceremony in Barangay Mariana were representatives of Barangays Pinagkaisahan, Kaunlaran, Bagong Lipunan ng Crame, Valencia, Mariana, Kalusugan, Immaculate Concepcion, San Martin de Porres, Horseshoe, Tatalon, Kristong Hari and Damayang Lagi.
In his speech, Belmonte vowed to vigorously pursue his administration’s program to provide equal benefits among the city’s more than 2.3 million residents.
"We will try to make services equally available among the city residents," Belmonte said.
He said this was part of the city government’s pursuit of making the city No. 1 in terms of governance as well as development and delivery of basic services.
The city government was scheduled to turn over another 14 "SB" vehicles and distribute Sagip-Buhay medicards in Barangay Sta. Teresita yesterday afternoon.
Recipient barangays are Barangays Vasra, Ramon Magsaysay, Paraiso, Talayan, Sto. Domingo, Siena, St. Peter Sta. Teresita, Lourdes, Pag-ibig sa Nayon, Paang Bundok, Salvacion, Maharlika and San Isidro Labrador.
The mayor distributed "SB" medicards to various barangay volunteer-workers, entitling them and their beneficiaries access to free medical services not exceeding P5,000 in at least six government hospitals in Quezon City. These hospitals include the Heart Center of the Philippines, Lung Center, National Children’s Medical Center, V. Luna Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center and Philippine Orthopedic Hospital.
Belmonte said the city government expects to provide medicards to 2,000 barangay volunteers this year to complement the city’s extensive health care program.
He thanked the city council, headed by Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista as presiding officer, for sharing the city government’s vision in making Quezon City a quality community through the strong working relationship between the legislative and executive branches. — Pia Lee-Brago