Lobregat reaffirms anti-poverty campaign
Mayor Celso Lobregat has vowed to continuously pursue poverty-reduction campaigns in support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) which are drawn from the actions and targets contained in the millennium declaration adopted by 189 nations including the Philippines.
In a message during the “UN Stand United, Fight Poverty Campaign” sponsored by the city government through the City Health Office and participated by thousands of pregnant women and marginalized sectors at the City Coliseum over the weekend, the mayor cited numerous social welfare programs and projects undertaken by his administration geared towards the disadvantaged sectors.
Among the programs implemented are the expanded Philhealth insurance program which started with only 3,997 in 2004 and is expected to increase to 18,000 by the end of 2009.
“Over 18,000 individuals have already been enrolled in the government’s primary health care insurance under the PhilHealth, making Zamboanga the only city in Region 9 to have achieved the “universal coverage” status. This is a direct result of our sound fiscal management,” the mayor said.
During disasters and calamities such as the recent typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, the city government extends assistance to displaced families to help them alleviate their plight.
Also part of the city’s fight against poverty is the Community Enhancement Livelihood and Social Outreach (C.E.L.S.O.) program in which temporary employment has been provided to almost 400 young adults that would in turn help them sustain their family needs.
The city also steps up its support to education as well as programs on child mortality reduction, maternal health and gender and development.
“That is why, since I assumed office, over half a billion pesos has been allocated and appropriated for construction of school buildings, repair of classrooms and other education-related projects,” Mayor Lobregat said.
He also stressed that the city also undertakes projects to improve health facilities like health centers and lying in clinics with the main goal of improving health services to the people.
“Poverty alleviation is one of our priority programs with the City Social Welfare and Development Office as the lead agency, focusing on serving the poorest of the poor communities in the city,” Mayor Lobregat said.
The city, through the CHO also intensifies drive against STD-HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis and other diseases. “Because of our effective implementation of anti-HIV/AIDS programs, Zamboanga continues to be a teacher of best practices in the STD-HIV-AIDS control program as many local government units learn from our best practices,” he emphasized.
The MDG identified 8 goals or targets to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world’s main development challenges. These are eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability and develop a globalpartnership for development.
These and many other pro-poor services are in compliance with the MDG, according to Lobregat. The MDG is drawn from the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations and signed by 147 heads of states and governments during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. (Sheila Covarrubias)