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City Health Ramps Up Vaccination Drive [ Thursday | 27th day of May, 2021 | 5 months ago ]

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After going full blast with 12 vaccinators and more than a
hundred vaccination staff, CHO recorded on May 24 the highest number of
vaccinated seniors reaching 1,260 in eight hours.

 

The office also continues to give jabs to the A1 priority
group for their second dose of vaccines.

 

As of this writing, 2,033 Fernandinos from the A1 priority
group were already inoculated with 1,686 individuals fully vaccinated.

 

For the A2 priority group, 8,479 seniors already received
anti-Covid vaccines. Some 1,605 of them are fully vaccinated.

 

Dr. Iris Rose Muñoz, National Immunization Program (NIP)
Manager, said the local government unit is also collaborating with private
hospitals to further expand its vaccination effort.

 

Ang isang vaccination site natin is [Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Medical Center]. Nag-visit na last week ang [Department of Health] and si Dr
Carlos Mercado. Naghihintay na lang tayo ng approval. Sa Thursday magkakaroon
na ng orientation sa mga staff nila doon. And then, ang [Jose B. Lingad
Memorial Regional Hospital] nag-offer rin na maging vaccination site na tutulong
sa atin. Yung schedule natin sa kanila is June 1 and 2. Ang babakunahan nila ay
seniors,” Muñoz explained.

 

They are also eyeing to team up with Our Lady of Fatima
University and GreenCity Medical Center who both expressed their intent to help
the local government unit.

 

Meanwhile, CHO urged the elderly to comply with the
pre-registration and registration process to avoid conflict and further delays
in the vaccination site.

 

“For our seniors, huwag po tayong susugod dito kapag hindi
po tayo naka-schedule. Pinapakiusap lang po sana namin na maghintay sa text o
tawag ng inyong schedule para maiwasan po yung pagdagsa ng mga tao. Pangalawa
po, follow pa rin po natin yung minimum health standards natin lalo na yung
physical distancing habang nakapila. And sana bago pumunta dito sa vaccination
site, kumain na at uminom na po ng gamot,” Muñoz said.

 

Since the first day of its vaccination, CHO had not recorded any adverse
effects or allergies from the vaccinated Fernandinos, aside from the usual
flu-like side effects such as fever, headache, and pain in the injection site
that may last 2 to 3 days.

 

CHO will conduct another vaccination activity on May 28 with
a target of 1,300 senior citizens.

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LGU Grants Financial, Livelihood Assistance To 161 Fernandinos [ Tuesday | 25th day of May, 2021 | 5 months ago ]

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On Tuesday, CSWD doled out cash assistance to about 161
beneficiaries from different villages of San Fernando.

For the localized Livelihood Assistance Grants (LAG), five
groups, each with five members, were awarded P25000 worth of financial aid for
their immediate rehabilitation and recovery from the economic effects of
Covid-19.

“Ang beneficiaries natin dito ay yung mga vulnerable groups
like the PWDs [Persons with Disability], urban poor, local 4P’s members, at
yung iba pang kasama sa vulnerable sectors natin. Tinulungan namin silang bumuo
ng isang proyekto o pangkabuhayan na mapapakinabangan nila,” explained
Bernadette Maniago, CSWD Officer II.

Meanwhile, 136 individuals also received the “fruits of
their labor” thru the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (CCAM) Cash For
Work program.

CFW is a short-term intervention to provide temporary
employment to displaced individuals by participating in preparedness,
mitigation, relief, rehabilitation or risk reduction projects and activities in
their communities.

In San Fernando, CSWD involved the youth and Early Childhood
Care and Development (ECCD) Centers parents for this program.

The beneficiaries participated in backyard gardening for a
maximum of 10 days. In exchange for the work rendered, program beneficiaries
are provided with cash to meet their requirement for food and other
necessities.

“Yung sa CFW natin ito yung mga indibidwal na nagtanim ng
mga gulay. Babayaran namin sila base sa bilang ng araw na kanilang
pinag-trabahuan, 340 pesos a day. Plus, yung magiging production ng kanilang
naitanim ay for own consumption nila and pag nagka surplus sila pwede pa nila
itong ibenta sa kanilang community,” Maniago said.

CSWDO encourages all Fernandinos who are interested in the
different livelihood grants of the LGU to coordinate with their sectoral
leaders or go to the CSWD Office at City Hall.

For his part, Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago advised the
beneficiaries to use the livelihood grants to their advantage.

 “Sana po ay
pahalagahan ninyo ang tulong at suportang ipinapaabot ng lokal na pamahalaan sa
inyo. Gamitin niyo po ito para mapalago ang inyong mga pangkabuhayan at
masuportahan ang inyong mga pamilya habang nararanasan pa rin natin itong
pandemya,” Santiago remarked.

Santiago added that despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the LGU
will remain consistent with its livelihood efforts and social services to
ensure the general welfare of Fernandinos.

 

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CSF LGU, Housing Agency Partner Begin Screening Socialized Housing Applicants [ Tuesday | 4th day of May, 2021 | 6 months ago ]

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This, after Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, entered into a
memorandum of understanding with SHFC to provide housing opportunities for the
LGU’s employees.

“Isa sa mga ipinangakong proyekto ng ating alkalde ang
pabahay sa mga empleyado natin so ngayong araw ay hudyat na ng simula ng
ipinangako ng ating butihing alkalde,” said Louie P. Clemente, Local Housing
and Settlement Division Chief.

Prandy L. Guevarra, Assigned OIC of SHFC Pampanga Area, said
the screening will run until May 07, 2021, to cater to the total number of
applicants.

“Kaya tayo nag-iinterview ngayon para makuha yung important
information ng bawat applicant and matukoy natin yung detailed homogeneity.
After this, ipapa-approve namin sa board of director and sa secretary of
housing yung project natin,” Guevarra explained.

“Tinitingnan rin natin dito sa background investigation na
ito yung kapasidad ng applicant na magbayad. Yung magiging monthly amortization
kasi magbabase sya sa monthly income ng applicant, mayroong 2%, 4.5%, and 6%
depende sa kaya nya,” he added.

Aside from this sectoral community mortgage program (CMP),
Guevarra disclosed that the LGU has also been assisting different housing
projects for about 500 informal settlers in the city.

“May informal settlers din na nasa pipeline projects na ng
LGU. Mayroon tayong City Center Phase 1, 2 and 3 na inaayos na with, more or
less, 400 beneficiaries. Mayroon ding ina-assist ang LGU na for awarding
na—yung project sa Damayan Homeowners Association, nasa 55 beneficiaries. At
marami pang ibang informal settlers na nasa private property ang ina-assist ng
LGU,” he said.

Meanwhile, Clemente thanked SHFC for helping the LGU’s
formal and informal settlers acquire housing security thru the agency’s various
housing projects.

“Kami ay nagpapasalamat sa ating shelter agency partner, ang
SHFC sa oportunidad na ibinigay nila sa ating pamahalaang lokal. Sa ngalan po
ni Mayor Edwn Santiago, maraming salamat. And sa mga qualified beneficiaries
natin, sana yung kanilang responsibilidad bilang loanee ay kanilang gawin dahil
bibihira po ang oportunidad na ito so sana po ay huwag nilang sayangin,”
Clemente remarked.

Last February 2021, the Townhomes San Fernando Homeowners
Association, Inc., formalized its partnership with the contractor/developer
thru the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA).

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LGU Covid-19 Response Teams Receive Anti-Covid Vaccines [ Thursday | 25th day of March, 2021 | 7 months ago ]

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The City Health Office utilized
the 940 vials of AstraZeneca and 81 vials of CoronaVac (Sinovac) that the
Department of Health handed to the local government unit on March 25.

CHO prioritized the vaccination
of the LGU’s Covid-19 response teams including the doctors, nurses, and
employees working in the Rural Health Units (RHU); Health and Emergency
Management Staff (HEMS); members of the Task Force Water, Sanitation and
Hygiene (WASH); Barangay Health Workers (BHW); Barangay Health and Emergency
Response Teams (BHERTS); and response teams of the City Disaster Risk Reduction
Management Office (CDRRMO) and City Social Welfare and Development Office
(CSWDO).

Before their vaccination, Mayor
Edwin “EdSa” Santiago thanked the medical frontliners for their heroic role.

“During the surge of Covid-19 in
2020, and even until now, kayo ang naging sundalo at nakikipaglaban sa kalaban.
Kayo ang naging sandalan ng siyudad sa napakahirap na sitwasyon kaya nararapat
lang na kayo ang unang mabigyan ng proteksyon ngayong naririto na ang bakuna,”
Santiago said.

“Ipinagmamalaki ko kayo at ng
buong siyudad. Hindi malilimutan ang inyong katapatan at serbisyo sa mga
Fernandinos at cabalen. Mabuhay kayong mga bagong bayani ng San Fernando,” the
mayor added.

All registered recipients of the
vaccine underwent thorough screening and counseling before vaccination to
ensure their health and safety. After vaccination, they were monitored in the
post-observation area in case adverse reactions or allergies develop.

 If no adverse reactions or allergies developed,
individuals inoculated with the AstraZeneca will have to come back after eight
weeks for their second dose while those who received CoronaVac (Sinovac) shots
will have to come back after four weeks to get a second dose.

Dr. Carlos B. Mercado, City Health
Officer-in-Charge and one of the Incident Commanders of the Incident Management
Team, said there’s nothing to fear about the vaccines as he encouraged the
Fernandinos to register for the vaccination program of the LGU.

“Huwag po tayong matakot magpabakuna,
ito po ay hindi gamot sa Covid-19 pero ito po ay magbibigay proteksyon sa atin
upang maiwasan ang mga kaso ng severe at fatality. Kaya inaanyayahan po namin
ang lahat na magpa-rehistro at maki-isa sa programang pagbabakuna ng San
Fernando. Rest assured, ang CHO po kasama ang ating medical units ay
nakaantabay sa inyo sa entire process ng inyong vaccination,” Mercado
explained.

The local government targets to
vaccinate 1,021 frontliners in the LGU until March 28.

In the second week of April,
Mercado said, the DOH will give another set of vaccines. These will benefit the
rest of the frontliners in private clinics, dental clinics, and other medical
laboratories.

 

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Mayor EdSa Reiterates Strict Health Protocols In Business Establishments [ Friday | 19th day of March, 2021 | 7 months ago ]

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“Gusto natin nakabukas tayo araw-araw but we have to find ways to balance our economy and response against Covid-19. Muling tumataas yung cases hindi lang sa San Fernando but in the whole country so there is really a need to heighten our health response,” Santiago remarked.

The Local Chief Executive advised business establishments to cooperate with the local and provincial government which released a new executive order for the strict implementation of quarantine guidelines.

“Help us. Help the City manage the situation by being on top with us. Ayaw nating bumalik sa dati. Ayaw nating mag lockdown ulit kasi it will immobilize us again. Kaya magsama-sama tayo at magtulungan sa di pa rin natatapos na labang ito,” the mayor said.

Dr. Carlos Mercado, City Health Officer-in-charge and one of the Incident Commanders of the Unified Command System, reiterated the existing quarantine guidelines of the City and the common violations of some establishments.

“Age restrictions. Sa loob ng establishments mahigpit pa rin po nating ipinagbabawal ang mga bata at matatanda. Sa inspections namin, ito po ang naging common violations ng mga establishments. Huwag po kayong matatakot o mapapagod mag-remind sa mga customers ninyo na isuot ang kanilang face mask at face shield. Kung tumanggi sila, pwede ninyong palabasin. Kayo po dapat ang masusunod sa loob ng establisyemento ninyo,” Mercado explained.

For the safe conduct of public events, all mass gatherings will also need to pass through the Incident Management Team for clearance.

“We still discourage illegitimate mass gatherings. All mass gatherings dapat mag-secure muna po sila ng permit o clearance from the IMT [Incident Management Team]. Ito ay para ma-regulate po nang maayos at ligtas ang mga pagtitipon and walang ma-breach na protocols especially the imposition of 50 percent capacity,” Mercado said.

The City Health Officer said in the past few days, they have recorded most of the Covid-19 infections from unregulated and illegitimate mass gatherings.

Santiago and Mercado were joined by Raymond Del Rosario, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer and one of the Incident Commanders of the Unified Command System; Ching Pangilinan, City Tourism Officer; Joseph Garcia, Business License and Permit Division Officer; and, Elenita Ordonio, Department of Trade and Industry Pampanga Provincial Director.

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CSF Intensifies Vaccination Campaign In Barangays [ Thursday | 18th day of March, 2021 | 7 months ago ]

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The
information, education, and communication campaign (IEC) serves as the City’s
venue for dialogue with Fernandinos to answer questions and concerns about the
vaccination program.

Dr.
Cheriane Canlas, of the City Health Office (CHO) and program manager, said the
program will encourage Fernandinos to support the government’s vaccination
program amidst mounting issues and concerns.

“Layunin
ng aktibidad na ito na mabigyan ng tamang impormasyon ang mga tao tungkol sa
mga bakuna kontra COVID at upang mawala ang kanilang takot at mahikayat silang
magpabakuna sa panahong sila ay maaaring mabakunahan,” explained Canlas.

Apart
from the discussion on age and health condition requirements for the vaccine,
the town hall also features public “frequently asked questions,” including the
correct information about side effects and risks of the vaccines and the
expected roll out of actual vaccination program in the city.

Canlas
cited that while the government has identified qualified recipients of the
vaccine, the town hall meetings are open to all residents.

“Target
po na mabigyan ng kaalaman ukol sa COVID-19 vaccination program ang lahat ng
mamamayan na nais mabigyan ng kaalaman ukol sa programang ito upang mawala ang
takot at pangamba sa ating komunidad,” she added.

It
was also discussed that, by June, the City expects delivery of vaccines for
40,000 to 50,000 people, with healthcare workers, front line personnel, and
senior citizens as priority groups.

Aside
from the town hall meetings, the City implements manual and online procedures
of COVID-19 vaccination survey that are administered by the CHO through the
barangay health workers and other partner offices.

CHO said they are
steadfast in conducting IEC campaigns and surveys to fully acquire the stand of
Fernandinos on this vaccination program, prior to the actual vaccination
activities.

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CSF Healthcare Workers First To Receive Anti-Covid Vaccines In Pampanga [ Monday | 15th day of March, 2021 | 7 months ago ]

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Mayor
Edwin “EdSa” Santiago expressed his gratitude to the national government for
including the province of Pampanga in the priority list of its vaccination
rollout program.

“Ang
siyudad po ay natutuwa at nagpapasalamat dahil, sa buong probinsya, mga
healthcare workers dito sa ospital ng San Fernando ang mga unang nakatanggap ng
bakuna. Bigyan po natin ng tiwala ang bakuna at ang pamahalaan po natin na
ginagawa ang lahat para bigyan tayo ng panlaban sa sakit,” the local chief
executive remarked.

The
Central Luzon Center for Health Development (CLCHD) allocated more than 4,000
Sinovac vaccines for the healthcare community in the province and JBL as the
priority hospital.

“Sa
ngayon ang na-receive namin ay 846 vials last Saturday and we will be receiving
the 3,274 additional vaccines maybe by tomorrow or next day. Bale, not less
than 4,000 po yung naka-allocate sa atin. So, we hope to inoculate at least mga
30% ng healthcare workers sa buong province depending sa allocation,” explained
Dr. Montserrat S. Chichioco, JBLMGH chief.

Chichioco
was the first healthcare worker to be inoculated with the Sinovac vaccine.

“Hindi
po siya masakit at mapanganib tulad ng sabi-sabi. Ang importante lang po sa
bakuna ay kaalaman at huwag maniwala sa sabi-sabi lang. We base it on Science.
Huwag matakot sa bakuna dahil lahat po ng bakuna iisa lang ang goal nyan—ang-ma
prevent ang pag-spread ng infection, ma-prevent po yung severe infection and of
course ma-prevent po yung death,” Chichioco said.

Santiago
also assured Fernandinos that the vaccine will be administered to the priority
groups—healthcare workers and front liners first, then senior citizens, down to
the general population.

The
local government already realigned its COVID-19 Local Task Force and its
responsibilities to focus on the rollout of the vaccination program. The LGU
started its COVID-19 vaccination survey thru paper-and-pen and online
procedures with the use of QR Code and Electronic Immunization Registry.

It
is currently in talks with pharmaceutical companies for the preparation and
purchase of vaccines.

The
vaccine rollout was part of the massive campaign of the Department of Health
dubbed as ‘Resbakuna: Kasangga ng Bida’ which kicked off on March 01, 2021,
with the first vaccine dose administered in the Philippine General Hospital
(PGH).

The
national government targets to vaccinate 70 million Filipinos by the end of the
year following the prioritization framework. 

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City Tourism Launches ‘WomEntrepreneur’ Trade Fair [ Monday | 15th day of March, 2021 | 7 months ago ]

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Located
at Connery Walk Shophouse District Capital Town, Capital Road, Barangay Sto.
Nino, the trade fair runs from March 11-13.

City
Tourism Officer Ching Pangilinan invites Fernandinos and cabalens to come and
visit the outdoor trade fair as a way to enjoy and take a break while
supporting local products and services.

Dr.
Leticia Yap, Chairperson for the Council of Women San Fernando and Soroptimist
International of Pampanga Past Federation Director also graced the event to
show her support to all women entrepreneurs.

As
still part of the city’s Women’s Month celebration, another fair will be
conducted next week in partnership with Waltermart San Fernando to promote more
than 30 women exhibitors.

 

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Giant Lantern And Tourism Center To Rise In Former Paskuhan Village [ Monday | 15th day of March, 2021 | 7 months ago ]

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On
February 4, 2021, in time for the City of San Fernando’s 20th Cityhood
anniversary celebration, the City Government, along with the SM Development
Corporation (SMDC), held the official groundbreaking of the Giant Lantern and
Tourist Information Center at the former Paskuhan Village here.

The
two-storey building, which has a total floor area of 500 square meters, will
sit in a 5,000-square meter land area donated to the City Government by Premier
Central, Incorporated (PCI), a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings Corporation.

“The
project that we have today is more than just a building or infrastructure. Mas
nakikita po natin ito sa mas malawak na perspektibo, isang bunga ng ating
trabaho na pagbuklurin po ang ating mga komunidad sa pamamagitan ng pagbuhay
muli sa ating kultura at tradisyon,” said Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago.

Further,
Santiago shared that the building will house an exhibit space, a museum,
pasalubong shop, library and archives center, an office for the City’s tourism
department, and a conference room.

Meanwhile,
the remaining portion of the land area will be built with an amphitheater that
could hold different activities.

According
to City Engineer Anele David, the construction of the center and amphitheater
will be free-of-charge and will be shouldered by the said private firm.

“Ang
lote at gusali po ay ipinagkaloob sa atin ng ating katuwang na kumpanya kaya
ang partisipasyon po natin sa tuwing makakatanggap tayo ng donasyon ay ang
maintenance at operation expenses. Sa construction naman po ay magsasagawa tayo
ng monitoring sa compliance nila sa ating mga alituntunin,” David explained.

For
her part, City Tourism Officer Ching Pangilinan said that the new building will
become an image of the original Paskuhan Village.

“In
keeping true to its legacy and as part of our Kapampangan heritage, through our
City Mayor, we were able to get a donation for the property. With that, kahit
na wala na yung Paskuhan na dati nating kilala, mabubuhay muli ito sa isang
panibagong paraan, mas contemporary, at mas akma sa panahon na ito na hindi
nakakalimutan yung kasaysayan at tradisyon natin bilang Fernandinos,”
Pangilinan said.

On
July 2, 2020, the City Government and PCI formally signed a deed of donation
for the said land area and two projects as part of the amicable settlement
between the firm and the City.

This
served as a “go signal” for the City Government and SMDC to begin the
development in the area, including several meetings for the building’s design
and details and the planning for its groundbreaking.

“The
future Giant Lantern and Tourist Information Center will become a beacon for
Filipinos and the rest of the world to witness the glitter and beauty of your
city, your rich heritage and culture, and the Fernandinos’ ingenuity, artistry,
and craftsmanship,” said Jose Mari Banzon, SMDC President.

Following
the groundbreaking ceremony, the SMDC will now begin the primary steps in
construction and the Giant Lantern and Tourist Information Center is expected
to be launched before the year ends. 

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City Peace And Order Council Cites 2020 Accomplishments [ Monday | 15th day of March, 2021 | 7 months ago ]

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Presenting
before the council’s chairperson, Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, along with Vice
Mayor Jimmy Lazatin and other officials of the council, key members of the CPOC
imparted the successful implementation of their programs, projects, and
activities (PPAs).

 These PPAs aimed to promote and maintain peace
and order in the city, as werl as to contributie to the COVID-19 response of
the City Government.

According
to Santiago, the accomplishments of the groups in peace and order aspects were
and will be of big help in attaining safety and economic recovery in the city
amidst the current pandemic.

“Pagdating
sa layunin natin na makamit ang kaligtasan at economic recovery, napakahalaga
po ng peace and order situation ng isang lugar. Maipo-promote lang po natin ang
safety kung tayo mismo ay pina-practice ito at magkakaroon lang po tayo ng
business o investment activities kapag nasa tama ang sitwasyon ng kapayapaan at
kaayusan sa isang lugar,” explained the City Mayor.

The
City of San Fernando Police Station (CSFPS), according to Lieutenant Colonel
John Clark, chief of police, conducted at least 60 operations where more than
130 individuals were arrested in the campaign against illegal drugs, illegal
gambling, and loose firearms during the last quarter of the year.

From
March to September 2020, during the implementation of community quarantines,
CSFPS arrested at least 200 individuals in over 100 anti-drug operations.

Clark
said the city police continue operations including the implementation of
quarantine protocols; information, education, and communication campaign;
establishment of police assistance desks in public places; and, conduct of
foot, mobile, and motorcycle patrols.

City
Public Order and Safety Coordinating Office (CPOSCO), on the other hand,
recorded 18,625 violations to local ordinances involving 17,720 individuals
(5,483 Fernandinos and 11,877 non-residents) from January to December 2020.

CPOSCO
chief Louie Clemente and Supervising Administrative Officer Joselito Ortaliz,
Jr., in their presentation, noted that most of the violators were caught either
“not wearing helmet,” “disregarding traffic sign,” or “driving without driver’s
license.”

Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), for its part, shared that as of the current
month, 10 barangays of San Fernando have been declared cleared from illegal
drugs trade.

Of
the 25 drug-affected barangays, 23 were identified as “moderately affected”
while two were considered “seriously affected”.

PDEA
also shared that two operations leading to the confiscation of suspected
illegal drugs were conducted in the city for the year 2020, netting an
estimated street value of at least P9 million.

Apart
from its accomplishments, the CPOC also tackled the planned projects including
the erection of new stations for the CSFPS, CPOSCO, Bureau of Fire Protection,
and a PDEA “Balay Silangan.”

Certain
resolutions are set to be created by the officers, marking the first step in
realizing these projects, together with other partner agencies of the
government.

Also
present during the activity were City Administrator Atty. Atlee Viray and
Marites Quillope, council head secretariat and City Local Government Operations
Officer. 

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COVID-19 Vaccines, Socio-economic Recovery Among Mayor EdSa’s Plans In 2021 [ Monday | 15th day of March, 2021 | 7 months ago ]

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Thus, said
City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago after being asked about his
plans for the year 2021, the final year of his mayoral term. 

 

Santiago vowed
to strengthen the city’s health response and push socio-economic recovery.

 

“Wala
tayong babaguhin sa mission at vision natin pero following the rules because of
the pandemic, ang direksyon natin for 2021 is response pa rin. Ang laban sa
COVID-19 pa rin pero sinasamahan natin ng mga magagandang programa,” he
said. 

 

The city
government will allocate ten million in response to the Emerging and
Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, including the possible purchase of COVID-19
vaccines.  

 

“Yung balak natin sa
bakuna is in collaboration with the national government, provincial, and
private sector. Pero ang siyudad naman nag allocate
tayo ng fund na ten million, and meron din tayong mapagkukuhanan from our
calamity fund and 20% annual investment fund just in case na talagang kailangan
ng bakunahan natin ang ating mga kababayan,” the mayor said.

 

“Ang
national lang ang makakapag go signal nyan kasi meron pang mga procedures from
FDA [Food and Drug Authority at DOH [Department of Health] and we have to
follow that,” he added.

 

Furthermore,
the local chief executive stressed his strong will to reinvigorate the city’s
economy after the pandemic thrown it into a tailspin.

 

“Ang
recovery dalawa yan. Una, economic recovery, kasama natin ang private sector
dito para patuloy ang kalakalan at pamumuhunan nila. We want to help them
especially yung mga nano, micro o small entrepreneurs. Pangalawa, social
recovery, ito yung pagtulong sa ating mahihirap na mamamayan para sagipin sila
sa kahirapan. Sa mga programang sosyal tulad ng sustainable livelihood,
employment, cash grants, local pension, at iba pa. May pandemya o wala, tuloy
tuloy yan,” Santiago remarked.

 

The city
government did not stop in its infrastructure projects to develop growth
centers and economic zones around San Fernando. 

 

In the
proposed 2021 plan, the local government is set to fund Programs, Projects, and
Activities (PPAs) which Santiago believed would generate economic activities
and job opportunities for Fernandinos.

 

This
includes the Rehabilitation of the City Market Plaza; the Smart City Program
(Phase II, expanding/upgrading C3 facilities); the Construction of permanent
isolation facilities; and the Construction of multi-purpose building (logistics
and support services) at the Civic Center. 

 

Santiago underscored
the role and contributions of different sectors, organizations, and even
ordinary Fernandinos in the city’s success. 

 

“Ang
siyudad ay nagpapasalamat sa ating mga kababayan, mga pribadong sektor, at
iba’t-ibang organisasyon na sa gitna ng pandemya ay nakikipagtulungan pa rin sa
gobyerno. Lalo ang ating mga frontliners, medical workers, working committee at
yung mga tumutulong po sa atin. ‘wag po sana tayong magsawa dahil ang
tinutulungan po natin ay ang bukas ng ating mga kabataan na siyang magtutuloy
kung ano man ang naumpisahan natin ngayon. Kaya kung ano man ang nagyayari sa
siyudad, kung ano man po ang tagumpay natin, ito po ay para sa ating lahat,”
the mayor ended. 

 

Santiago further
calls for cooperation and unity among the Fernandinos to carry out the city’s
mission and vision towards becoming a safer, more resilient, vibrant,
technologically driven, and more responsive and inclusive city.

 

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CPOSCO Enforcers Now Equipped With Body Cameras [ Monday | 15th day of March, 2021 | 7 months ago ]

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The
cameras were presented during a simultaneous operation of enforcers on January
20, 2021 in different critical areas for road and traffic violations in the
City of San Fernando.

During
the operation, CPOSCO Supervising Administrative Officer Joselito Ortaliz, Jr.
said that safety is the primary intention of wearing body cameras among traffic
enforcers.

“Ang
mga body-worn camera ay isang malaking proteksyon para sa ating mga enforcer na
kung saan mababantayan natin ‘yung mga nangyayari sa kalsada, kabilang na yung
interaction nila sa publiko lalo na, isang metikulong proseso ang apprehension
sa mga violators natin,” Ortaliz explained.

He
added that the cameras will be of big help in fulfilling the enforcers’ duties
as models of discipline and transparency for the public.

“Dahil
sila ang tagapagtupad ng batas, kailangan sa sarili nila mismo ay may disiplina
rin. Sa pagkakaroon ng body camera, magkakaroon ng monitoring ang ating
tanggapan sa mga aktibidad ng ating mga enforcer,” he added.

For
the initial phase, the City Government purchased 14 units of body worn cameras
with 2.4-inch display, 180 degrees rotatable lens, 1080p high definition video
output, and battery life that can last up to 10 hours with continuous
recording.

For
the next edition of procurement, the CPOSCO shared that it plans to add at
least 30 units until it completes the provision of cameras for all its more
than 120 personnel.

For
his part, Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago expressed his utmost elation for this new
project, stating that the City is gradually achieving its goal of being a smart
and technology-driven locality.

“Nais
ko pong ipahayag ang aking pagkatuwa dahil, unti-unti, nakakamit natin yung
adhikain natin na maging smart at technology-driven city, dahil sa bagong
proyektong ito ng ating CPOSCO. Pero ang pagiging smart at technology-driven
city ay hindi lang makukuha sa pagkakaroon ng mga high-end na kagamitan, kung
hindi dapat maayos din ang pamamalakad at paggamit sa mga ito ng ating mga
tauhan na manggagaling naman sa kanilang disiplina,” Santiago said.

Since
the units also have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features, the cameras will be
linked to the City Command and Control Center in San Isidro, to supplement to
the existing hundreds of closed-circuit television or CCTV, bullet, and PTZ
(pan, tilt, zoom) cameras.

This
explains that the cameras will not only be used in capturing the enforcers’
transactions with the public but also for capturing responses to different
incidents occurring along major roads and thoroughfares.

Meanwhile,
CPOSCO Operations Officer John Marvin Gervacio extended his gratitude, on
behalf of his fellow enforcers, to the City Government for providing them new
gears.

“Gusto
po naming magpasalamat sa ating lokal na pamahalaan sa pagbibigay sa amin ng
mga kagamitang ito. Sa tulong po nito, masisiguro yung safety at fairness sa
aming mga nanghuhuli ng violators at siyempre, yung mga mismong violators din,”
Gervacio said.

The
CPOSCO will be handling the daily collection of camera footages from the
enforcers to undergo extraction, review, and archiving procedures.

For
the period of January to December 2020, the CPOSCO recorded a total of 18,625
violations from a total of 17,720 violators, 5,843 of which were identified as
Fernandinos while the other 11,877 were non-residents.