People’s Day is QC mayor’s priority

Since assuming the city’s top post in July 1, 2001, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has posted a near perfect attendance in holding People’s Day at city hall once a week, a top city official said yesterday.

Ernesto Banawis, a consultant of the city government, said except in certain instances when the mayor had been called for an urgent meeting in Malacañang, meeting with people from all walks of life is his priority every Monday.

"The priority of Mayor Belmonte is to meet and personally hear the problems and concerns of the people," Banawis said.

He said an average of 500 people troop to city hall every Monday to meet with the mayor.

Problems include financial needs, request for legal assistance, complaints against abusive public officials and even petty neighborhood disputes.

Those seeking a regular audience with the mayor include jeepney and tricycle drivers, vendors, businessmen, police officers and barangay officials.

Banawis said the mayor personally listens to each of them and calls the offices concerned to act on their problems.

Because of the huge turnouts, the mayor has placed four conference tables in his office where the first four batch of callers can be accommodated.

Belmonte hops from one table to another and with his department chiefs in tow.

Those seeking financial and medical assistance are referred to the social services and health departments. Businessmen are usually refered to the treasurer’s office or the license and permits office.

"The People’s Day usually lasts until late in the afternoon," Banawis told The STAR.

Before proceeding to his office last Monday, the mayor issued a brief message to city hall employees to go out and vote next week .

"Go out and vote on Monday," he said.

To Belmonte’s surprise, most of the callers that day were various groups that wanted to express their support for the mayor.

Among his visitors were the presidents of various organizations representing the 10,000-strong city hall work-force.

The group presented a manifesto to the mayor, expressing their full support to the programs he implemented in the last three years.

Also present were barangay officials who expressed confidence that the mayor will be re-elected.

"We just want to give support to Mayor Belmonte. In the past three years we have pestered him with our problems. I think it’s time we return the favor," a barangay captain said. — Persues Echeminada