La alcaldesa Climaco critica a la oposicion

EL ALCALDE BENG Climaco ha vuelto a arremeter contra la oposicion y ha dicho a los aliados del ex congresista Celso Lobregat y del congresista Mannix Dalipe que no hagan politica con la vida de los zamboangueños, especialmente en esta epoca de pandemia.

Urban poor sector praises mayor

MEMBERS OF the Cabatangan Urban Poor Federation thanked Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco for continuously assisting them and for other pro-poor programs and projects her administration has implemented. 

'Cong' Beng slams opposition anew

MAYOR BENG Climaco has slammed the opposition anew and told allies of former lawmaker Celso Lobregat and Congressman Mannix Dalipe not to play politics with the lives of the Zamboanguenos, especially this time of the health crisis.

‘Cong’ Beng, sinisi ang Conscience Bloc!

IPAGPAPATULOY UMANO ni Mayor Beng Climaco - na ngayon ay tumatakbo bilang congresswoman sa District 1 - ang pagtulong nito sa mga senior citizens, sa mga mahihirap na pamilya at ang vulnerable sector sa Zamboanga City.

Suporta kay ‘Cong’ Beng, walang humpay

HABANG PAPALAPIT ang halalan, patuloy naman ang malaking suporta ng publiko kay Mayor Beng Climaco na tumatakbo bilang congresswoman sa District 1.

‘Largo Vida,’ now a political issue

THE LARGO Vida has now become a big issue as senior citizens and the vulnerable sectors in the community who largely benefit from it, recalled the “great loss” of their benefits after councilors allied with Team Colorao and Team Dalipe “killed” the pro-poor program of Mayor Beng Climaco, who is now running for congresswoman in the May polls.

Opposition threatens anew to slash budget

OPPOSITION COUNCILORS are again tinkering and threatening to slash the proposed annual budget of the local government for next year, including those under the Office of the City Mayor.

Pro-poor programs continue in Zamboanga

DESPITE THE killing of the “Largo Vida” programs by opposition councilors, Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco’s administration continues to provide assistance to the poor, especially families in crisis situation.

Thank you Mayor

SENIOR CITIZENS and their kin have praised Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco for putting the welfare of the elderly in the priority list of the local government’s pro-poor program.

Granny, Grand Pa receive cash gift

THE CITY government of Zamboanga has for the first time distributed cash incentives to hundreds of elderly residents as part of a program pursuant to the Ordinance 539 which provides benefits to octogenarian or those who are 80-years old and nonagenarian or 90-years old.

Opposition councilors kill Vida programs

‘Mayor vows more support for the poor, elderly’

ZAMBOANGA MAYOR Beng Climaco vowed to provide more assistance to tens of thousands of beneficiaries of various pro-poor Vida programs, especially the elderly and the disadvantage sector in the community after opposition councilors removed vital funding in the 2021 Executive Budget.

Zamboanga centenarians receive cash incentives

TEN CENTENARIANS received P50,000 each from the City Government on top of the incentives granted by the national government as a way of honoring and recognizing the contributions of senior citizens to the society.

Stop politicking, pass budget

ZAMBOANGA MAYOR Beng Climaco has accused her political foes of delaying the approval of the 2021 Executive Budget 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.

Senior Zambo citizens, vulnerable sector to benefit from ‘Executive Budget’

ZAMBOANGA’S ELDERLY and those in the vulnerable sector will largely benefit from the proposed 2021 Executive Budget amounting to P 4.38 billion which Mayor Beng Climaco said is a unique configuration of fiscal plans which assimilate all the previously identified needs of the City and the new challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Zambo LGU aids poor family in despair

THE ZAMBOANGA City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), upon order of Mayor Beng Climaco, provided food aid to a poor family after the father diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease suffered a stroke.

Zamboanga rolls out free medical transport services

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Patients with chronic diseases may now benefit from the free transport services the local government is offering to help them in their medical needs.

‘Dia de Alcalde’ brings smiles, hope to residents

TENS OF dozens of families have benefitted from Mayor Beng Climaco’s humanitarian program dubbed “Dia de Alcalde” in Barangay Santa Maria as the local government continues to roll out various services for Zamboanga’s poor and the elderly.

Climaco spearheaded the recent caravan that offered free health and dental services, haircut, among others, including veterinary and agricultural demonstrations.

Zamboanga solon 'duplicates' Mayor's program for senior citizens

AFTER STRONGLY CRITICIZING the Zamboanga government's program for senior citizens, traditional politician Celso Lobregat and his party mates are now trying hard to duplicate the benevolent assistance of Mayor Beng Climaco to the city’s elderly population.

Lobregat and his team have been going around different barangays and meeting with senior citizens and even campaigning this early and distributing 2 kilos of rice, believed to be from the National Food Authority, and a red sling bag with sign that reads: “Mayor Celso Lobregat.”

One family member of an elderly woman said they received a red sling bag with 2 kilos of rice inside: “Ya recibi 2 kilos de arroz miyo nana na Putik kay yan tapuk sila Celso Lobregat todo senior citizens y alla adentro de sling bag el arroz.”

Lobregat, who is not originally from Zamboanga, also met with senior citizens in Barangay Santa Maria, and he even held a trivia contest with the winner getting a red shirt as prize. And there, he began blabbering in front of the senior citizens and virtually campaigned.

He also went around shaking hands with senior citizens at the covered court. Senior citizens who are beneficiaries of the local government’s medical assistance program strongly criticized Lobregat after he questioned the distribution of medicines and incentives to the elderly here under the “Largo Vida” program.

They accused Lobregat as being anti-poor. Lobregat, who served many years as mayor and congressman, complained that Mayor Beng is using government resources to provide necessary medical and financial assistance to senior citizens in different barangays.

Largo Vida, which literally means “Long Life”, is part of Climaco’s benevolent programs dedicated for the welfare of senior citizens. It is being implemented by the City Health Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office and Office of the City Mayor.

Despite the overwhelming success of the Largo Vida, rabid critics and political foes of Mayor Beng led by Lobregat questioned the timing of its launching. Aside from the Largo Vida program, Mayor Beng also provides cash incentives to senior citizens celebrating their birthday as provided in a local ordinance.

It is the first of its kind in the history of Zamboanga and the distribution of cash gifts covers all 98 barangays here. City Hall said a total of P12 million has been allocated for the incentives which is being implemented by the CSWDO, City Treasurer’s Office and the OCM.

Under the ordinance, the birthday cash incentives will be given annually starting this year to all senior citizens: P500 for ages 60 to 69; P700 for ages 70 to 79; P800 for ages 80 to 90; P1,500 for ages 91 to 94 and P2,000 for ages 95 to 99. Lobregat, not contented with his criticism of the Largo Vida, also went on to gripe the cash incentives for the senior citizens.

But Cesar Jimenez Jr, a former council member and Mayor Beng’s ex-spokesman, said this will be increased to P18 million by next year and included in the approved 2019 Executive Budget which was also opposed by a few of Lobregat’s allies in the City Council.

“This will be increased to P18M in the 2019 Budget to which the councilors from the Red Team (of Lobregat) voted against. I criticized the P25M fountain at Paseo del Mar during his (Lobregat) term. To make matter worse, it cost up P130K per month to operate it. Let people be the judge,” Jimenez said in his Facebook page and followed by hashtag sign #NOTOMATAPOBRE.

Lobregat admitted that he considers himself as an “underdog” in the mayoralty race. Mayor Beng is seeking re-election so she can continue serving Zamboanga and her constituents and propel the city to becoming one of the most progressive in the country.

Her loyal supporters said Lobregat was just griping because during his time as mayor, he did not have projects like what Climaco initiated. Other supporters said Mayor Beng is a strong advocate for the welfare of the elderly, the poor children and youth and her various humanitarian programs and barangay projects are well received and appreciated by the people because they have not experience anything like it in the past administrations of the Lobregats which had ruled Zamboanga for many decades now.

The Lobregats are natives of Cebu and Lanao del Sur provinces. In the 2016 elections, Lobregat’s brother, Jomar, lost in the congressional polls. He is running again as congressman in Zamboanga. Mayor Beng is the niece of Zamboanga’s most loved Mayor Cesar Climaco, who served the city for 11 years, and had greatly influence her to serve the public. Among Zamboanga greatest mayors were the elder Climaco and Vitaliano Agan. (ZCH)

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Senior citizens criticize Zambo solon

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Senior citizens who are beneficiaries of the local government’s medical assistance program have strongly criticized Rep. Celso Lobregat after he questioned the distribution of medicines and incentives to the elderly here.

They accused Lobregat as being anti-poor. Lobregat, who served many years as mayor and congressman, complained that Mayor Beng Climaco is using government resources to provide necessary medical and financial assistance to senior citizens in different villages.

  

Photos released by City Hall show Zamboanga Mayor Beng Climaco with 

senior citizens during one of her programs.

 

For 75-year Ruben Bautista, the Largo Vida program has become their lifeline. He and his diabetic wife are both beneficiaries of the medical assistance for the elderly population of Zamboanga.

Largo Vida, which literally means “Long Life”, is part of Climaco’s benevolent programs dedicated for the welfare of senior citizens. It is being implemented by the City Health Office, City Social Welfare and Development Office and Office of the City Mayor.

“I am happy. We are so grateful with the medical assistance under Largo Vida because the Mayor is able to help us – me and my wife, who is diabetic. We are receiving free medicines,” Bautista said.
Despite the overwhelming success of the Largo Vida, rabid critics and political foes Climaco led by Lobregat strongly criticized the local government medical program for senior citizens and questioning the timing of its launching.

Bautista defended Climaco’s Largo Vida program from criticisms. “We heard that on TV, on radio that other people are trying to malign her (Climaco) – that is what I can say. She (Climaco) is helping us (senior citizens) so why will they criticize that (Largo Vida program), it is intended for senior citizens and other people are trying to destroy her (Climaco) and that is not right. It is our only hope,” he said.

Bautista’s wife, the 73-year old Filomena, an amputee, also defended Climaco from her political detractors and said: “Just like what he (my husband) said, we are just receiving a meager pension. I was a former teacher and what we were receiving then was very small compared to the salary of the teachers nowadays. We are just happy that we are getting free medicines from the Mayor.”

Former government worker, Aida Masuhod, 67, also has praises for Mayor Climaco’s medical assistance program for senior citizens. She and her husband, and her 100-year old mother are all receiving free medicines from the Largo Vida program.

“That medical assistance program is for long life, if we don’t have money, we cannot buy medicines. That (Largo Vida program) is really good because it help us greatly – the three of us, I and my husband, and my 100-year old mother. If the local government will not help up, we are all going to die because we have no money to buy maintenance medicines. So to all the critics (Climaco) just stop, because this (Largo Vida program) is big help to the poor, to the senior citizens,” she said.

Stroke victim Carmelita Alob, 61, also thanked Climaco for free medicines she is regularly receiving from Largo Vida “life liners” who go house-to-house in different villages to distribute medicines to the elderly. “The Largo Vida program is a big help to us. We thank the Mayor for the free medication,” Alob said.

Aside from the Largo Vida program, Climaco also provides cash incentives to senior citizens celebrating their birthday as provided in a local ordinance. Considered as the first of its kind in the history of Zamboanga, the distribution of the cash gifts covers all the 98 villages here.

City Hall said a total of P12 million has been allocated for the incentives which is being implemented by the CSWDO, City Treasurer’s Office and the OCM. Under the ordinance, the birthday cash incentives will be given annually starting this year to all senior citizens: P500 for ages 60 to 69; P700 for ages 70 to 79; P800 for ages 80 to 90; P1,500 for ages 91 to 94 and P2,000 for ages 95 to 99.

Lobregat also criticized the cash incentives for the senior citizens. But Cesar Jimenez Jr, a former council member and Climaco’s ex-spokesman, said this will be increased to P18 million by next year and included in the 2019 Executive Budget which was also opposed by Lobregat’s allies in the City Council.

“This will be increased to P18M in the 2019 Budget to which the councilors from the Red Team (of Lobregat) voted against. I criticized the P25M fountain at Paseo del Mar during his (Lobregat) term. To make matter worse, it cost up P130K per month to operate it. Let people be the judge,” Jimenez said in his Facebook page and followed by a hashtag #NOTOMATAPOBRE.

Lobregat admitted that he considers himself as an “underdog” in the mayoralty race.

“This is going to be a tough fight; it will not be easy as our opponent is using all government resources for her re-election. Incentives are given to the senior citizens that were never given before; medicines are delivered personally to the houses of senior citizens which never happen in the past. Tarpaulins have been posted all over the place announcing projects still to come and so much more. All of these are done to give the impression that the city government is doing so much,” Lobregat said, who also has his photograph printed on national government projects in Zamboanga.

Climaco is seeking re-election so she can continue serving Zamboanga and her constituents and propel the city to becoming one of the most progressive in the country. Her loyal supporters said Lobregat was just griping because during his time as mayor, he did not have projects like what Climaco initiated. “Lobregat is just bitter and scared that he will lose in the 2019 polls,” said Noel Santos.

Other supporters said Climaco is a strong advocate for the welfare of the elderly, the poor children and youth and her various humanitarian programs and barangay projects are well received and appreciated by the people because they have not experience anything like it in the past administrations of the Lobregats which had ruled Zamboanga for many decades now. The Lobregats are natives of Cebu and Lanao del Sur provinces. In the 2016 elections, Lobregat’s brother, Jomar, lost in the congressional polls. He is running again as congressman in Zamboanga.

City Hall said the tarpaulins where infrastructure projects of the local government are printed show how serious the Climaco administration of being transparent and for the people to know where their taxes go and what is to come for the benefit of all. And unlike congressmen, whose mandate is to craft laws and not in construction business to build roads and buildings, Climaco said she always see to it that all local government projects be known to all her constituents as “taxpayers money”.

“Government funds are really being used to support many and various projects and programs of the city because we are not pocketing or stealing it. Government resources are intended for the welfare of my people, of my constituents to uplift their long sufferings in the previous Lobregat administration,” Climaco said.

The mayor is also known - by her peers - to run her office “democratically” and not like a dictator who wanted to control all aspects of civil governance, according to one employee, who asked not to be named so as not to be accused as partisan. “She listens to all. She hears and talks from the heart and respects everyone, Christians, Muslims and the indigenous groups, and that is one of her best traits,” the employee said.

Climaco is the niece of Zamboanga’s most loved Mayor Cesar Climaco, who served the city for 11 years, and had greatly influence her to serve the public. Among Zamboanga greatest mayors were the elder Climaco and Vitaliano Agan. (ZCH)


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