ANGELES CITY – The city government here distributed milk, cereals, rice and food packs to 3,300 indigent residents in Barangay Pandan, Pulung Maragul, Sta. Trinidad, and Pampang on February 3 and 4, 2021.
The formula milk was given to children aged 1 to 2 years old.
Despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr.vows to continue bringing basic services to improve the lives of all Angelenos, especially those from the marginalized sectors such as indigents.
“Gusto nating iparamdam sa kanila na hindi nakakalimot ang city government, at kahit maraming pagsubok na kinakaharap dahil sa pandemya, tuloy pa rin ang pagtugon natin sa mga pangangailangan nila,” Lazatin said.
The said items were distributed by members of the Gender and Development Office, led by Mina Cabiles, City Social Welfare and Development Office, headed by Edna Duaso, and Angeles City Barangay Outreach.
Duaso thanked the Department of Social and Welfare Development (DSWD) Regional Office III for donating the cereals that were distributed by the city government.
Since the start of the pandemic in April, the city government has continuously distributed relief packs, vitamins, milk, and facemasks to indigent residents in Sitio Target, Sitio Babo, and Sitio Bliss in Barangay Sapangbato.
A total of P12 million was also used for the procurement of milk for the 50,723 children in the city’s 33 barangays, while P5 million will be allotted to utilize for the food and milk assistance for children six months to 6 years old, who will be found malnourished, through door-to-door weigh ins.
On the other hand, a highlight of Mayor Lazatin’s program for children was the achieved target number for the “Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio,” a nationwide campaign of the Department of Health for the distribution of the oral anti-polio vaccine.
A total of 43,392 children were given the said vaccine for the first wave, while 47,052 received the same vaccine on the second wave, giving Angeles City the highest recorded number of vaccinations in the whole Region III.
To date, the city government is administering the ongoing free vaccination of children against measles, polio, and rubella.
Mayor Lazatin is also focusing on improving the nutrition of Angelenos children, aiming for “zero malnourishment” in the city by the year 2022.
“We have allocated P4 million for the feeding program of all daycare students for 2021. The City Nutritionists will personally prepare and oversee the children’s menu,” Lazatin said.
The Lazatin administration has also provided a continuous supply of free vitamin A and C supplements, and deworming of all kids below 7 years old.