BRINGING health services closer to the people will be the priority of Mayor-elect Patricio Barcenas of Carcar City, southern Cebu, during his first 100 days in office.

In an interview with SunStar Cebu on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, Barcenas said he will focus first on providing quality health and medical services to his constituents over implementing infrastructure projects. These include the distribution of modern ambulances to every barangay and bringing medical services and equipment closer to the constituency, he said.

“I will not go more for infrastructure (projects), maybe that will follow. I will first finish my priority which is health,” said Barcenas.

According to Barcenas, he has received complaints from medical responders that the city’s existing ambulances are not convenient and effective during emergencies due to their size and lack of equipment.

Barcenas added he will prioritize the acquisition of modern ambulances that can be distributed to the city’s 15 barangays so that residents can have quick access in times of emergencies.

The mayor-elect also said he will work on the procurement of medical equipment that can be used for dialysis, x-ray, and CT-scan.

Barcenas explained that he chooses to focus on the health sector because he wants to make quality healthcare accessible to the poor.

Barcenas, also a former mayor of Carcar, won against another former mayor, incumbent Vice Mayor Nicepuro Apura during the May 9, 2022 election.

Sports complex

The newly elected mayor vowed to continue the repair of the P265 million sports complex that was damaged during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette (Rai) on Dec. 16, 2021.

Barcenas said he already met with officials of the Department of Education for the city’s hosting of the upcoming Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association meet.

Repairs are needed on the rubberized track and field oval and the roof of the grandstand.

The overall cost of the repairs will be discussed after Barcenas officially assumes as mayor on June 30, he said.