By Lane Afable, News Editor
More than 3,300 residents benefited from the Capitol on Wheels (CW) Program of the Province of Batangas.
From Batangas City, the CW program once again rolled out and headed to the Second District of the province, specifically the Municipality of Mabini.
Governor Vilma Santos–Recto, together with all department heads of the provincial government, attended the flag ceremony and delivered essential services to the residents, in partnership with various national government agencies (NGAs).
Key services of the provincial government
led by the Provincial Health Office benefitted a total of 1,652 patients who received various free medical services e.g.:
350 for internal medicine
360 dental services
345 circumcisions
110 pediatric consultations
97 Pap smear tests
153 laboratory services
64 OB-GYN services
38 ultrasound procedures, and others
Additionally, 75 barangay health workers and 53 barangay nutrition scholars received their honoraria.
From the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, 113 sectoral volunteers received honoraria, including child development workers, persons with disabilities, parent leaders, and senior citizens.
Meanwhile, 34 barangay tanod (village watchmen) heads received their honoraria from the Provincial Public Order and Safety Department.
The Provincial Agriculture Office, in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the Department of Agriculture Region 4A, distributed fishing equipment and planting materials to 160 beneficiaries.
Four barangays in Mabini also received financial assistance amounting to ₱180,000 for various requested equipment to support their operations, through the Provincial Assistance for Community Public Employment and Youth & Sports Development Office.
The Provincial Legal Office provided 16 residents with free legal consultations, as well as assistance in preparing and notarizing legal documents.
Assistance and Support from NGA Partners
From the national government agencies, a total of 1,405 residents of Mabini received various services, including:
Philippine Statistics Authority: issuance of civil registry documents and national ID registration/updating
Land Transportation Office: renewal of motor vehicle registration and driver’s licenses, and issuance of student permits
Philippine National Police Batangas: free haircuts and police clearance issuance
PhilHealth: registration, updating, and YAKAP registrations
Social Security System: registration and other services
Other agencies that participated in providing assistance included the Department of Labor and Employment, Anti-Red Tape Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, National Bureau of Investigation, TESDA, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Science and Technology, and Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Governor’s Message
In her message, Governor Santos-Recto emphasized that Batangueños do not owe the government for these services. Instead, she stressed that the Capitol is simply returning the taxes paid by the people through well-implemented programs and projects that genuinely benefit the public.
The event was also attended by local officials, including Mabini Mayor Noel Luistro, 2nd District Congresswoman Jinky Luistro, members of the Sangguniang Bayan, and barangay leaders.
Representing the Provincial Government were department heads led by Provincial Administrator Atty. Joel Montealto and Chief of Staff Pedrito Martin Dijan Jr.
