SENIORS and grandparents of Mabalacat City were feted last September 25, at the Xevera covered court, Tabun, through the initiative of the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs headed by Grace Dizon.
The program was to celebrate Grandparents' Day and the seniors/grandparents came in full force and were given breakfast courtesy of Chowking. Previously, they walked through the Delfin Lee road to the covered court to witness a program featuring messages of Grace Dizon, Josephine Basilio-Tanglao, head of CSWDO and, of course, city mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo. Councilor Eddie Sotto is the chair of the SP Committee on Senior Citizens Affairs.
The elders went in orderly fashion as they walked towards the venue and were attentive to the program's features.
I learned that there are now 18,000 listed senior citizens in the city and more are visiting the Senior Citizens Affairs office at the city hall where they learn of the benefits due them. Their social pensions are reportedly being given regularly by the city mayor. Many of them are anticipating Christmas bonuses and benefits certainly to be given by Mayor Garbo.
For his part, Mayor Garbo sees to it that the seniors of the city are taken care of well, especially those needing treatment and possible confinement.
The medical programs of Mayor Garbo are institutionalized and these include: wellness care, medicines and referrals to accredited hospitals, if need be, medical and financial assistance, burial and interment and survivor's benefits.
For Mayor Garbo, the seniors still play an active role in the city affairs, that is why he considers them seriously in all matters affecting them.
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Done deal. The rift between GM Atty. Francis A. Dimaliwat of the Mabalacat City Water District and Deng Pangilinan and allies continues because of the stiff opposition of the former to the privatization of the water facility courtesy of Prime Water which signified its intention to acquire the former lock, stock and barrel.
One of the reasons why GM Dimaliwat opposes the acquisition/privatization of MCWD is the probable disengagement of the present staff and the ensuing hiked water rates.
So, the concessionaires will face a future increase (substantial, I heard) in water rates as Prime Water take over the operations and management of Mabalacat City Water District.
In one of my visits to GM Dimaliwat, I was mildly shocked of his lukewarm reception and his tirade about our association with Deng, a kabaro as Francis termed it. I said this is not so, but his mind was set to assuming that I, together with Gasmin, share Deng's position vis-a-vis Prime Water. A case of Magkano? Papaano?
I also learned that the issue is now with the SP, but Mayor Crisostomo Garbo has the final say on it. Abangan!
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I'd like to thank Gerry Baja of Garantisadong Balita over DZMM for greeting me last September 21, my birthday. Maraming salamat, Gerry.