MANILA, May 15 (PNA) — Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II has cited the municipality of Candaba in Pampanga as one of the most organized local government units (LGUs) when it comes to the prioritization and implementation of projects for its constituents.
Roxas said the Candaba municipal government, through Mayor Rene Maglanque, knows what programs and projects its constituents really need such as roads, bridges, day care and health centers, and the latest addition, the PhP32-million municipal hospital.
He lauded the municipality for the proper utilization of the local development fund, which is allotted for purposes that cater to citizens’ needs and welfare.
The new municipal hospital in Barangay Pasig, Candaba, which Roxas inaugurated, features modern equipment that will effectively address the medical needs of the patients.
Before the completion of the municipal hospital, local constituents had to travel as far as 20-30 kilometers to seek medical attention in other cities or municipalities.
“Ang ospital na ito ay simbolo ng pag-asa at pagbangon ng Candaba. Ngayon, makikita na talaga natin ang sigla dahil nandito na mismo ang ospital sa lugar ninyo. Kayo ang gumawa nito at kayo ang boss sa tinatahak nating tuwid na daan,” he told the people of Candaba.
The local government unit-funded hospital was built on a sprawling 6.7-hectare land owned by the municipality along Pansol Road in Barangay Pasig. The hospital is classified as a Level 1 Hospital or an emergency hospital, which will primarily handle emergency cases and prevalent diseases for the constituents of the municipality and nearby towns.
During the inauguration on Thursday, Roxas also turned over several checks to its beneficiaries to fund various projects funded through the Bottom-up Budgeting (BuB) program in six towns and San Fernando City in Pampanga.
These projects include infrastructure for disaster risk reduction management, construction of canals and a bridge, and a provision of potable water supply.
These BuB projects in various barangays are the government’s testament to inclusive growth and the government makes sure that development initiatives are reaching all Filipinos, even in far-flung municipalities in the country.
“Wala po tayong pinipili kahit pa man ibang chaleco ang suot nila, basta walang maiiwan sa tuwid na daan,” Roxas said. (PNA)