While she may be busy fighting terrorists, winning peace and improving the economy, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo still finds time securing a bright and healthy future for Filipino children.

This, she demonstrated again today as she visited another five barangays in Quezon City’s first district as part of her efforts to make the gains made under her administration trickle down to the grass roots.

During the visit, the President approved the release of funds for various barangay projects, which form the collective concerns of residents from Barangays Teresita, San Isidro Labrador, Salvacion, Paang Bundok and Lourdes.

President Arroyo instructed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P78 million to fund the proposal of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando to build a pumping station so that floods in the affected areas will immediately subside.

Fernando, for his part, vowed that his agency would continue its drainage declogging activities with damaged canals prioritized for repair.

The President instructed the barangay chairmen to coordinate with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for the relocation of barangay halls. She also approved the release of P70 million for fogging operations to combat the proliferation of dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

The President also graced the immunization ceremonies signaling the increase in budget for the Department of Health's Expanded Immunization Project from P455 million this year to P485 million next year.

The increase will allow a greater number of mothers and their children aged two to five years’ access to immunization of BCG (for childhood tuberculosis), Oral Polio Vaccine, DPT (Diptheria, Petussis and Tetanus), measles and Hepatitis B.

Prior to the immunization ceremonies, the President distributed Certificates to Operate Tindahan Natin convenience stores, 100 PGMA Training for Work Scholarships, and 208 PhilHealth cards to each barangay through their respective chairmen.

This particular visit saw the inclusion of various government agencies such as the National Food Authority (NFA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the DoH which brought their own staff to help the residents of the barangays.

Last update : 22-09-2007 14:52

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