CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The services and programs offered by the City Government here received high satisfaction rating, according to a study conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the City College of San Fernando.
Dubbed as Citizen Satisfaction Index System (CSIS), the study was promulgated by DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2012-13. It is a set of data tools designed to collect and generate relevant citizens' feedback on local governments' service delivery performance and on citizens' satisfaction.
"The researchers are composed of faculties from the City College where the area services on health, basic education, social welfare, governance and response, public works and infrastructure, environment management, agriculture support and tourism promotion was probed from December 1 to 8, last year," said DILG officer Jose Algie Canlas.
Although no actual figures were disclosed at press time, he said Fernandinos were satisfied with the performance of the City Government.
"It was recorded that the citizen's level of satisfaction with the city government is high," noted Canlas.
Dr. Lourdes Javier, City College president, said that San Fernando generally demonstrates very satisfactory performance and outcome, which meets citizens' expectations.
This means that citizens who availed of the program of the City Government were "highly satisfied."
However, the survey recommended the conduct of massive information drives on different service delivery areas so that the level of awareness on these programs and services will improve.
The study included 150 respondents from 23 barangays equivalent to 30 "spots" in the city. Respondents were selected through multi-stage random sampling that gave every citizen equal chances of being selected.
During a forum for the utilization of CSIS held Friday at Bliss Hotel, DILG Provincial Director Myrvi Apostol-Fabia said, "San Fernando is an example of a local government unit that always finds ways to improve its services."
Mayor Edwin Santiago, for his part, said he believes that as a leader, his duty is to "empower the citizenry."
"The government cannot work on its own, hence upon my assumption into office, I requested the department heads of the city hall, the private sector, everyone, to help me in turning our dream into reality and make San Fernando a livable place," said Santiago.