Paknaan residents avail of services from city hall

More than 200 residents of barangay Paknaan in Mandaue City yesterday availed of various services brought by the front line departments of city hall.

Dubbed as, “Barangayan, Serbisyo sa Atong Tugkaran”, the whole day program was conceptualized by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes to bring services of the city government closer to the people.

The off-site services included free dental and medical services by the City Health Office, free vaccination and castration of pets by the City Veterinary Office, free notarial services by the City Legal Office, free haircut, pedicure and manicure by Mandaue City Technological , Entrepreneurial Skills Training ( MCTEST), issuance of community tax by the City Treasurer’s Office, family counseling and various social services by City Social Welfare and Services, job applications by Public Employment Service Office, among others.

“Bringing the program right on our doorsteps is a laudable project,” barangay Paknaan captain Malaquias Soco said.

Soco said the services rendered by the City Health Office was the most sought after followed by MCCTEST.

“Pagkahibalo nako gikan sa among silingan wa ko maglangan aron ipakonsulta ang akong duha ka mga bata nga pulos gi-ubo (After I learned from my neighbor I immediately went so my two children who are suffering from cough could be examined), Virginia Gepega, jobless mother of two from Sitio Tambis, Paknaan said.

She said they subsist on the meager income of her husband.

On the other hand, Elmie Opella, Mares Alburo, and Geniza Malait, consistent beneficiaries of the job placement program of PESO hopes she will again be hired after her contract with Mitsumi expired.

The barangayan, the third this year is a regular program of the Cortes administration in bringing front line services to the doorstep of every barangay.

During the opening program held at 8 a.m., Cortes assured Paknaan residents he will find a way to purchase the lot in front of Paknaan Elementary School for the construction of an additional school building to address the perennial problem of lack of classrooms.

“Education is the best weapon against poverty. We are doing this for the bright future of our children,” he said.