The city governments of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, and Pasig City, Metro Manila, have launched programs that continue to benefit their people, earning recognition in the Pinakamahusay na Programa sa Galing Pook 2023.
During an interview on DILG sa DZRH Breaktime, Bayawan City Mayor John "Jack" Raymond, Jr. and Engr. Kenneth Artes, City Agriculturist of Bayawan City, proudly showcased their food security initiative, Fish from the Mountains: Bayawan’s Inland Aquaculture Experience.
According to Mayor Raymond, the Bayawan Inland Aquaculture Experience began in 2015 and has spanned five city administrations to date.
Initially, the city constructed an inland aquaculture facility in Danapa in 2013, establishing a hatchery for tilapia about 15 kilometers from the city proper.
The facility produces 2 million fingerlings annually, sold at 25 to 45 cents each depending on size. These fingerlings are distributed to various fish farms both within and outside Bayawan City.
By 2016, the city expanded the program by introducing fish farming to local farmers with access to water sources. Bayawan City provided grants to help farmers establish fishponds.
As of now, there are 412 fishponds and 363 farmer beneficiaries participating in the program.
"This is truly a food security program because we are an agricultural city blessed with coastal resources," said Mayor Raymond. The initiative even includes free pond digging services for farmers, and in some cases, farmers were paid to dig the ponds.
"We were able to feed our people and even neighboring towns through the efforts of different farmers," he added.
Under the program, a 10% sharing scheme is implemented, where fish farmers contribute a portion of their harvest to the city as part of the initiative's sustainability efforts.
Pasig City's Hospital Care and Emergency Medical Services (Medical Control Program)
Meanwhile, the city government of Pasig also highlighted its Hospital Care and Emergency Medical Services (Medical Control Program), which focuses on providing medical attention to patients while they are still in the field—from their homes to the ambulance and on the way to the hospital.
According to Dr. Nerissa Sabarre, Pasig City identified gaps in the management and communication of emergency care, leading to the creation of a comprehensive emergency care framework.
"Mayroon po kaming framework na ginawa na kung saan nagsisimula from the time na tumawag ang pasyente sa Command Center at ang time na magdidispatch ng emergency responders. Si emergency reponders naman pupunta sa kung saan nandoon ang pasyente, dadalhin ang pasyente pagdating hospital or kung saan man ang appropriate na institution," said Dra. Sabarre.
Sabarre noted that the service is part of medical practice, as it identified gaps and built a framework to provide medical direction, control, and oversight for the activity.
"Kasama po doon yung education ng mga responders natin. Kasama po doon yung communication na tama ang maibibigay sa aming information with regards to ano ang kailangan na lunas ng pasyente."
These award-winning initiatives set a benchmark for other local government units, highlighting the importance of creativity, resilience, and community-centered solutions in addressing local challenges.
As these programs continue to grow and evolve, they serve as a testament to the power of public service in transforming lives and fostering progress.
