Mandaue locals benefit from 'Panagtagbo'

CEBU, Philippines - Over 200 urban poor beneficiaries in Sitio Lower, Barangay Tipolo, Mandaue City availed of the services offered by the city government through an integration activity yesterday.

The city conducted the "Panagtagbo" where City Hall employees, donors, and beneficiaries met. The idea of the activity was taken from the Traslacion when the Holy Family meet at the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City two days before the Sinulog Grand Parade in January.

According to lawyer James Abadia, city administrator, more or less 2,000 City Hall employees, four members of the business sector, and two non-government organizations joined in the Panagtagbo.

The participants helped in constructing a multi-purpose solar building and a playground for the beneficiaries of Lower Tipolo Homeowners Association Inc. (LTHAI). The building and the playground were constructed within one day.

The multi-purpose building was made of more or less 400 inter-locking compressed earth blocks (ICEB). A set of solar panels were also installed on the building's roof which will provide electricity for the building.

The area of the building was 23 square meters while the playground was 120 square meters.

Aside from the construction of the multi-purpose building and playground, government services were also provided to the beneficiaries of LTHAI. Some residents of the area also landed on a job during the mini-job fair.

Eight persons had been hired on the spot by a manpower agency as of yesterday noon. Two other malls also joined in the mini-job fair.

The residents also received free medical and dental services through a mission that was conducted days prior to the Panagtagbo. Free vaccination and neutering of cats and dogs were also conducted.

The Mandaue City Pound also captured several stray dogs in the area.

According to Domeila Subang, president of LTHAI, the 243 beneficiaries were thankful for the services they received.

"Ni-avail mi sa nagkalain-laing serbisyo nga gihatag… Nalipay mi sa serbisyong among nadawat," Subang said.

Subang also said aside from the services they received, they were also trained on how to maintain the multi-purpose building and its solar panels. They also learned about the proper segregation of garbage, the making of dishwashing liquid, among others.

The Panagtagbo was in line with the 48th Charter Day celebration of the city today and its transformation program dubbed as #iammandaue.

According to Roger Paler, head of Mandaue City's Public Information Office, a holy mass will be conducted this afternoon. It will be followed by a parade.

In the evening, top tax payers of the city and some City Hall employees will be recognized.  (FREEMAN)