HEALTH and social services remain as the top priorities of the administration of Mayor Honey Lacuna, eating nearly half of the city’s 2023 annual budget.
The mayor bared this as she signed yesterday the ordinance providing the Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2023 amounting to P22.2 billion.
“Isinumite natin ito sa Sangguniang Panlungsod at agad naman nilang tinalakay, sinuri, pinag-aralang maigi at ipinasa sa kanilang nakaraang regular na sesyon,” she said.
Lacuna bared that nearly half of the said budget had been allotted for social services and health programs, thus signifying the collective vision and efforts towards a better life for all Manilans.
“Sumasalamin dito ang ating mithiing makapagbigay ng pinakamahusay na serbisyong pangkalusugan at serbisyong panlipunan, upang higit na mapaganda at mapabuti ang ating Social Amelioration Program gaya ng mga allowances ng senior citizens, PWDs at solo parents, gayundin para sa lahat ng mag-aaral ng PLM, UDM at senior high school sa mga pampublikong paaralan,” she said.
Also part of the city’s priority programs lined up for next year are those aimed at protecting the environment and the city’s peace and order situation.
The Annual Budget also includes programs and projects involving the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act, improvement of Health Centers, eatablishment of Crisis Intervention Center for Women and Children and additional facilities at the Manila Boystown Complex, among others.
City libraries, multi-purpose and multi-functional facilities will also either be developed or built under the plans lined up for next year.
Lacuna expressed gratitude to Vice Mayor and Manila City Council Presiding Officer John Marvin Yul Servo Nieto, Majority Floor Leader and third District Councilor Jong Isip, Minority Floor Leader and 6th District Councilor Salvador Philip Lacuna who is also chair of the Committee on Appropriations and the entire Council membership for their total support for her administration.
“Patuloy sana ninyo akong samahan sa pagsisikap na maisakatuparan ang ating mga pangarap at mithiin tungo sa higit pang mabuti, mas maayos at masaganang pamumuhay ng bawat Manilenyo. Makakatiyak po ang lahat na sa ilalim ng panunungkulan ng inyong kauna-unahang babaeng Punong Lungsod ay maihahatid ang walang kapagurang serbisyo diretso sa tao. Ipadarama ang Pagmamahal ng isang Ina at Kalinga ng isang doktora,” Lacuna said.
