MAYOR Edwin Santiago celebrated on June 21, 2021 his 64th birthday through a gift-giving program for some senior citizens and persons with disability in three barangays in the City of San Fernando.

“Kailangan marunong tayong magpasalamat. Yung kaarawan paalala sa atin iyan na magpasalamat sa regalong buhay -- ang pinakamagandang regalo sa atin ng Diyos,” the mayor said.

Santiago, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office, distributed food assistance to several senior citizens and PWDs in Barangay San Pedro Cutud, where he was born, and the neighboring villages of San Nicolas, and Sta. Lucia.

CSWD also conducted the ceremonial awarding of cash cards for the beneficiaries of the “Tatak EdSa” social programs.

“Itong mga cash cards na ito, para ito sa lahat ng benepisyaryo ng mga tatak EdSa programs, kabilang na ang Socpen [Social Pension Payout], local 4Ps, cash assistance para sa mga senior citizens at PWDs. Di na kailangan pumila’t magregister kasi meron na kayong ATM,” said Aileen Villanueva, CSWD officer.

"Ang hakbang na ito ay inisyatiba ng ating lokal na gobyerno sa pangunguna ng ating alkalde at sinuportahan ng ating Sangguniang Panlungsod sa pangunguna naman ng ating Vice Mayor. Nais po ng ating mayor na mas mapadali at mapabilis ang mga serbisyong nagbibigay lingap, pag-asa, at kaginhawaan para sa mga pamilyang nangangailangan,” she added.

During his birthday speech, Santiago also urged all senior citizens to get vaccinated.

“Mahirap po ang magka-Covid lalo na sa edad natin ngayon. Hindi ka makakagalaw ng maayos pag hindi ka pa bakunado. Huwag po kayong matakot, hanggang ngayon wala pang namamatay sa siyudad natin dahil sa bakuna. Pataas po ang Covid cases at may mga bago pang pumapasok na mga variants kaya hinihikayat ko kayong magpabakuna. Unahin po natin ang kalusugan at kaligtasan natin,” Santiago said.

Before the gift-giving activity, Santiago, together with his wife, attended a thanksgiving mass at the San Pedro Cutud Chapel presided by Reverend Father Melchor Sitchon.

They were joined by CSWD Officer Aileen Villanueva; Rachelle Yusi, City Human Resource and Management officer; Ching Pangilinan, City TourismoOfficer; Rizzel Mangilit, City Budget officer-in-charge; Donny Sayre, City Public Employment Service Office manager; and several senior citizens and churchgoers. (PR)