‘Mayor introduces new pro-poor program’
MAYOR BENG Climaco, true to her promise to help the elderly and the poor, is set to introduce the new Buen Vida Program that will benefit tens of thousands of people in Zamboanga City.
The new program, she said was borne to help the most vulnerable in the community after opposition councilors killed the local government’s Vida programs.
“Recognizing the need to continuously support senior citizens, especially the most vulnerable, while also acknowledging the form of support desired by the people, we will propose the Buen Vida Program that aspires to be a more comprehensive support program to our senior citizens while also addressing the need for employment of the most affected sectors of the community,” she said in her 8th State of the City Address.
Climaco explained the Buen Vida Program is comprised of the following components - Provision of Direct-to-Home Medicines; Local Social Pension Program; Job Generation; and Production of multi-purpose Senior Citizen ID with ATM/ Debit Card Functionality.
The Buen Vida Program targets the indigent and marginalized senior citizens being the most effected sector in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Citing various data, Climaco said around 30,000 indigent senior citizens are not receiving any form of social pension from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and not even from Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and also not gainfully employed or receiving income from any business or livelihood.
And under the proposed Buen Vida Program, Climaco said indigent senior citizens shall be given P6,000 or equivalent to P500 per month for 12 months as social pension and additionally, some 30,000 senior citizens with medical conditions shall be regularly provided with direct-to-home medicines and vitamins. Qualified beneficiaries shall be determined by the City Social Welfare and Development Office.
And to manage the distribution of medicines and proper administration of the Buen Vida Program, the mayor said the local government will hire some 600 displaced workers and will be called “Buen Vida Lifeliners.”
“Additionally, around 62,000 multi-purpose ID/ATM cards shall be produced and distributed to beneficiary senior citizens that may be used for easy assistance provision, identification, including the administration of Covid-19 vaccines,” Climaco said, adding, the beneficiaries shall be enrolled to a bank and whose account will serve as basis for the issuance of an ID/ATM card that may also function as a privilege card.
She said the issued cards shall also function as identification cards of the beneficiaries that will provide them access to government programs such as cash assistance, discounts, free movie passes, free parking space, pharmacy loyalty points, medical check- ups and health assistance, and free doses of Covid-19 vaccines. The project may help minimize public health risks for senior citizens by no longer exposing them in crowded events such as distribution of cash assistance.
“Senior Citizens with morbidities and medical conditions shall be eligible to receive the medicines and vitamins under Buen Vida Program. The 17,000 beneficiaries under Largo Vida Program shall be automatically enrolled in the Buen Vida Program, while another 13,000 senior citizens with medical conditions shall also be served,” Climaco further said.
The Buen Vida is projected to have a total appropriation of P367 million covering all four components of the humanitarian and pro-poor program.
“Our plan is clear and the purpose is to sincerely help our people. May we all rally behind this proposed new program and work across the aisle for the sake of our people who need these the most,” Climaco said.
“We live in extraordinary and challenging times that push us beyond our limits, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Kindness and compassion keep us focused on our purpose which is to be of service to others. It motivates us to be better public servants, and inspires us to go above and beyond duty. It grounds us on realities and the challenges we face while also allowing us to hope and dream for better days ahead. Let us set aside our differences and unite in redesigning and re-imagining Zamboanga City because the future we envision looks promising,” she added.
Climaco blamed the opposition councilors - who are political allies of defeated mayoralty candidate Celso Lobregat and Representative Mannix Dalipe - for killing all the Vida Programs of the local government after they removed vital funding in the 2021 Executive Budget.
Climaco identified the opposition councilors as Monsi dela Cruz, John Dalipe, BG Guingona, Mike Alavar, Litlit Macrohon, Khymer Olaso, Lilibeth Nuño, Cary John Pioc, VP Elago, Gerky Valesco and Jerry Perez.
Dela Cruz and the younger Dalipe ran under Climaco’s political party, but eventually broke off ties after winning the 2019 polls. There were reports that Lobregat will again run for mayor and also the elder Dalipe with his brother possibly gunning for a congressional seat. Or Dalipe to seek re-election in the congressional race with his younger brother to run as vice mayor of Lobregat.
Climaco said the Vida programs aim to create a more lasting and meaningful impact on the lives of all its beneficiaries. “We need to empower our people and create a more lasting and meaningful impact on their lives, their families and communities. Deseo de atun todo dale mas largo y buen vida na de atun maga abuelo y abuela na Ciudad de Zamboanga,” she said.
“It is with deep regret that (opposition) majority of the members of the City Council resolutely removed vital appropriations in the FY (Fiscal Year) 2021 Executive Budget of the City Government of Zamboanga. Very important social services programs such as the Largo Vida, Salva Vida and Cuida Vida, which could have benefited senior citizens, low income families, disadvantaged communities, marginalized sectors, most affected families of the Covid-19 pandemic and other vulnerable members of society, were unfoundedly scrapped,” she added.
Climaco said the actions of the Lobregat-Dalipe allies in the City Council have affected some 17,000 senior citizens and all 400 “Vida lifeliners,” including women and those who are out-of-school and mostly breadwinners of their families, who were tapped to tirelessly deliver health assistance door-to-door to every elderly beneficiaries of the Largo Vida.
“These (Vida) programs were carefully planned by the Executive Department to be sustainable and to introduce a trailblazing brand of service to our constituents that is projected to have a significant impact in the lives of the target beneficiaries. These programs cannot be replaced by mere dole-outs and cash donations that were not studied and haphazardly thought-out. Those (opposition council) members who voted to remove funding for such vital programs must face the people of Zamboanga City and must be held responsible and accountable for such irrepressible action,” she said.
“It is not just cash that is needed, we need a more comprehensive program that will genuinely and sustainably empower our people through medicines, access to critical social services and livelihood to make our people resilient and survive the day to day challenges while we are under a pandemic. Necesita kita dale servicio de calidad because our people deserve only the best,” the mayor added.
It is only during the time of Climaco that such programs and social services benefitted thousands of senior citizens and the vulnerable sector.
“It is only during our administration that we were able to introduce a wide-range of social services to our senior citizens – birthday cash incentives, free maintenance medicines, free movie screening and other key forms of assistance. We intend to expand these to a more comprehensive package, not only for our senior citizens, but also social packages for other vulnerable sectors especially for our society’s patriarchs and matriarchs, PWDs (persons with disabilities) and other vulnerable sectors, the marginalized, low-income families in disadvantaged rural and urban communities and most affected families of the Covid-19 pandemic, who are in need of these social protection programs, now more than ever,” Climaco said.
Climaco previously accused opposition councilors of delaying the approval of the 2021 Executive Budget even as thousands of residents also signed manifestoes supporting the local government’s pro-poor programs, among others, included in the P4.38 billion annual financial plan. “Let us not mix politics into the discussion of our budget because we are all accountable to the people we serve. Leave politics to the elections in 2022. We must not deprive the people, the senior citizens, the farmers, the fisherfolks, the sick, and the hungry the needed support from the local government,” the mayor said.
“Those (opposition councilors) members who voted to remove funding for such vital programs, must face the people of Zamboanga City and must be held responsible and accountable for such irrepressible action,” she said. “When I signed (Budget) Ordinance No. 741, it is with deep sadness that I bear in mind the thousands and thousands of constituents who shall be deprived of these vital social services programs. There are certain line items in the appropriations ordinance which need to be vetoed for either being ultra vires and or are prejudicial to the public welfare.”
At the end of her address, Climaco said: As I end my report. I am proud that amidst the pandemic, Zamboanga City was recognized as the 5th Most Improved LGU among the Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) in the country today, and we climbed 4 notches from 19th to 15th place among 32 other HUCs improving significantly in the all the competitiveness pillars of Economic Dynamism, Government Efficiency, Infrastructure, and Resiliency.”
“Indeed, our story is still evolving. We face various challenges day by day. But when we decide to get up each day, gear up and face the battle head-on against visible and invisible enemies, which is already worth celebrating as a success story. Our determination to continue the fight will make us win this battle. The immediate future looks daunting now, but hope is everywhere. This too shall pass. And as in past crises, I am confident that we as a City will not only surmount this pandemic. We will bounce back stronger and greater than ever. Otro vez mientras tiene pa tiempo ta apela yo, uni quita para el bien de Zamboanga y por medio de este manda mira el Amor con Dios La Virgen Pilar y Ciudadanos de Zamboanga.”
Praises
Hundreds of residents who followed Climaco’s State of the City Address on January 26 flooded the mayor’s Facebook page with praises and admiration as she enumerated one by one the accomplishments of the local government amid the pandemic. The video of the mayor’s address quickly went viral.
Nida Rose Natividad Alo wrote: “Mabuhay Maam Beng Climaco, keep up the good work. No one can destroy a good woman who work religiously for the good of Zamboanga City. May God Bless & protect u always.”
Vic Perez, who works in Dubai, said: “We love you Mayor, watching from Dubai.”
“God bless you always Mayor Beng. We Zamboanguenos love you dearly. You’re God sent to Zamboanga City,” wrote Marie Antoniette Lledo.
Angelica Inot left this note: “Mayor Beng, we continuously pray for your good health and strength, for in your service comes many good things for the City. Kudos! We love you Maam Beng. God bless.”
Former Largo Vida Lifeliners, Len Enriquez, Ella Mae Elviña Nillas and Liezel del Mundo, also thanked the mayor for providing jobs to many lifeliners. “Gracias Mam Beng con el detuyo amor na maga Largo Vida (Lifeliners). We love you and support you solid Mam Beng.”
One Netizen Mayora Brittanygaile said: “Dol ta durmi lang man si Monsi Dela Cruz. Ahora kay tiene (State of the City) report, ta durmi lang, si ta kritika dol aquel muri ya hahahaha.”
Jay-r Bayo asked the opposition councilors why they killed the Largo Vida Program and wrote this: “Why kill the Largo Vida Program? Don't you know that when you did that you killed many senior citizens on this pandemic time! Think about this concerned officials!”
Prince Bong Roberts wrote: “More like Mayor Beng to come...whoever is running for Mayor in 2022 election should overcome the legacy of Mayor Beng. Goodbye to all councilors on 2022 who are sleeping until now...shame on them. Call me hater for those who have no heart to support the Mayor, they deserve to be hated.”
Shalina Maulana praised Climaco for her love and dedication in helping the poor. “Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, lalo na sa Mayor natin na matapang lumaban at tumulong sa mahihirap. God bless you Mayor.”
Last Term
Climaco, a multi-awarded mayor, is now on her third and last term. In 2018, Climaco was chosen as among “Top 5 World’s Best Mayors” by the prestigious City Mayors Foundation.
She was named along with Valeria Mancinelli, Mayor of Ancona, Italy who is the Winner of the 2018 World Mayor Prize; Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, UK; Nathalie Appéré, Mayor of Rennes, France; and Charlotte Britz, Mayor of Saarbrücken, Germany.
In awarding Climaco, the City Mayors Foundation said it heavily cited the local mayor for her commitment to offer Zamboanga harmony, security and prosperity.
The City Mayors Foundation said “The World Mayor Prize and Commendations” awards are given every two years to mayors who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and have developed a vision for urban living and working that is relevant to towns and cities across the world.
It noted that shortly after being elected in 2013, Climaco was confronted with an armed uprising by Moro rebels that left parts of Zamboanga City under siege for 19 days and by the time government forces had defeated the rebels, 183 people had died and more than 120,000 residents were displaced.
“During her first term in office, Climaco made it her priority for the victims of the attack to receive justice and compensation. She has also been determined to heal any divisions between the city’s Christian and Muslim communities. The Inter-Religious Dialogue Council, she convened, has been successful in promoting peace. In a city, which was often perceived as violent, there have been no bombing or kidnapping incidents since 2016. In 2017, Mayor Climaco’s administration won the award for the most improved local government,” said the philanthropic international research think tank.
It said that in a series of personal essays, the finalists for the 2018 World Mayor Prize described the reasons that motivated them to enter politics, the challenges they face as mayors and how they envisage their towns and cities to develop and prosper in the future. They stressed the importance of women in politics and urge young women always to aim high.
In her essay, Climaco describes how the values of family members formed her political and social beliefs. “My grandmother was a champion of Filipino women’s right to vote and it was from her, we all learned the value of community service.”
She also wrote that in times of crisis her faith in God sustained her.
Climaco was also recognized as “Most Outstanding Mayor” by the Federation of Local Councils of Women in the Philippines in 2017. These awards and rankings were based on indicators and measurements such as economic dynamism, government efficiency, infrastructure and resiliency. These recognitions are feats never before achieved by any administration. (Zamboanga Post)
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