A project called ‘Text JRT’ (in reference to Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco) has proven to be effective as more residents have been responsive and cooperative as well to the call of the local government to give their share in keeping order in the city to lessen if not totally crush illegal activities like drugs and lawlessness.
By mere ‘texting’ the mayor, a special task force would immediately validate the messages sent through Tiangco’s cellphone before the concerned authorities led by the local police would proceed to the area where a ‘crime’ or an incident has been reported.
The latest of which resulted in the arrest of two village councilmen – Michael Monroy, 45; and Christian Tinimbang, 38 – said to be vice protectors in their turf.
Mayor Tiangco says his campaign spares no one. He stresses: “Mas mainam nga na mga tulad nila ang nahuhuli lalo na kung talagang may kalokohan naman para maipakita natin na wala tayong sinasanto sa ating kampanya.”
Nearly 50K poor Philhealth cardholders in Navotas Mayor Tiangco says his administration is determined to increase the number of residents especially at the poor sector to become Philhealth members as he cites its importance in the soon-to-open Navotas City Hospital.
This as the city chief executive instructs the local health department to be in the forefront in the campaign to make the residents more informed about their PhilHealth cards in order for them to maximize its use.
The project, which intends to provide medical assistance to the constituents, now has over 30,000 members on top of the 15,904 members sponsored by the national government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
He then clarifies that the number of cardholders is much bigger as city government records didn’t include those who are already members as it (Philhealth membership) is required in their work as factory workers, among others.
According to him, it’s important that residents are aware about the benefits of the city-sponsored membership cards. “They should be informed through the barangay health centers that their cards are renewed automatically every year and can also be used in regular hospital check-up,” he says.
The local government has reiterated its call to those who are not yet cardholders to better apply for it as it can be useful when they seek medical needs at the first government-owned hospital, the Navotas City Hospital, which will soon be operational.
Meanwhile, Mayor Tiangco clarifies that the hospital, once operational, will not be like the existing general hospitals outside the city which have medical experts and specialists for diseases like cancer and other more sensitive medical cases. GOOD RIDDANCE/ARLIE CALALO