CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Mayor Edwin Santiago chose to spent his birthday last Saturday by delivering much needed social services to Fernandinos.
Sans an extravagant and flashy celebration, the mayor instead led the city’s health team composed of doctors, nurses, midwives, health workers and volunteers in conducting a medical and dental mission for residents of Barangay San Pedro Cutud, the community where Santiago grew up.
"Ang kaarawan ay isang pasasalamat, sa Panginoon, sa mga kasama sa buhay, hindi kailangan ng magarbong pagdiriwang para ditto," said Santiago.
He noted that as a public servant he is happy to be in service of the Fernandino community during his very special day.
"Masaya ako dahil kasama ko ang aking mga katrabaho sa paglilingkod sa aking mga kababayan," added Santiago.
Included in the highlight of the mission was the giving of anti-pneumonia vaccine shots to hundreds of elderly, dental check-ups and operations for children, medical consultations for pregnant women, and distribution of vitamins and supplements to the sick, among others.
Santiago also reported that support for the city's rural health units will be intensified so that Fernandinos will no longer have to go to private hospitals and pay for medical fees.
"Palalakasin natin ang mga rural health units at mga birthing stations upang matugunan ang mga pangangailangan medikal ng lahat," he said.
He also disclosed that the Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office manifested its interest to open a satellite office in San Fernando to help in providing the medical needs of the poor.
His birthday also saw folks receiving Fernandino cards, the all-in-one access cards for the services offered by the City Government. (Marionne I. Cayanan)