City Mayor John Geesnell Yap (right) hands out the P400,000 financial assistance to Barangay Cabawan as received by its Punong Barangay Sergio Bangalao (left), during in simple rites inside the Mayor’s Office. Contributed photo

Barangay Cabawan receives P400K in financial assistance

City Mayor John Geesnell Yap turned over the P 400,000 in financial assistance to Barangay Cabawan and received by its Punong Barangay Sergio Bangalao, the report of the City Media Bureau says.

The Tagbilaran City Government allocated P 400,000 worth of financial assistance each to the city’s 15 barangays. 
Mayor Yap said the assistance could be used to augment the Coronavirus disease (Covid) response in the different barangays.
“During this pandemic, various expenses will put a dent in the budget, specifically during lockdowns. Thus, we saw it fit to allocate financial assistance to the barangays. This additional budget will help them address their budgetary concerns and at the same time continue the initiatives they have planned for,” Mayor Yap said.
 Along with the financial assistance, hazard pay will also be given to the barangay workers involved in the mitigation and management of Covid.
Major shift in the budget happened in the onset of the pandemic.
Projects and plans have been evaluated and redirected to accommodate more pressing concerns.

 It should be remembered that Tagbilaran City provided relief goods in four tranches during the city’s Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
Cash incentives were also provided to the solo parents, nursing mothers, and persons with disabilities (PWD).

 Food coupons were also given to public school elementary kids.

The City Health Office also gave free real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests to all the incoming Tagbilaranons, a practice which the lone city of Bohol fully embraced. 
The free flu vaccines to all the City Government employees were also an additional undertaking to curb the spread of Covid.
 The barangay health centers were also provided with vitamins. Despite this sudden shift in priorities, key programs and projects of the City Government still pushed through.
The provision of financial assistance to the barangays is another major initiative of the City Government to hasten development amidst the health crisis.

Tagb gets new emergency response vehicle

The newest ambulance of Tagbilaran is warmly received by the city government. From left are: Toyota’s Sales Agent Yong Sines, City Mayor John Geesnell Yap, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office staff Von Angalot, Fritz Dennis Ruyeras, and Airah Balatayo. The turnover was done on Aug. 25, 2021. Contributed photo

The City Government acquires a new emergency vehicle. The newest addition in the emergency response fleet would boost the ability of first responders of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to provide service to Tagbilaranons.

The ambulance is able to serve an average of 10-15 emergency calls per day.

 The new ambulance unit further strengthens Tagbilaran City’s advocacy towards disaster and emergency preparedness and mitigation.
The new ambulance would also complement the Communication Line for Emergency Alarm and Response (CLEAR) system.
CLEAR is an early warning system conceptualized by the Tagbilaran CDRRMO.

Most early warning systems do not integrate a feedback mechanism. They are mostly one-sided and linear.

The CLEAR system is the major driver that places the disaster management and preparedness of Tagbilaran City, a cut above the rest. 
To date, lives were saved and emergencies averted due to the CLEAR system. The unique feedback component was made possible through the yellow phone.
 The yellow phone is directly connected to the Command Center of the CDRRMO 24/7.

The caller needs not dial any number, once the receiver is picked up the phone, automatically connects itself to the emergency hotline.
 An ambulance with trained medical responders will go directly to the site of the emergency.

 The CLEAR system which can only be found in Tagbilaran City is situated in 12 strategic locations: City Square, Pook Pantalan, Causeway, Bool Junction, VP Inting Street, City Hall, Dao Barangay Hall, San Isidro Barangay Hall, ACE Hospital, Ubujan, Manga Market, and Dampas Barangay Hall. 
Moreover, the CLEAR system is also an early warning device which carries a LED board that provides weather updates, warnings, and reminders before and after a calamity. 
It is also equipped with a speaker for emergency announcements. Blinkers are also attached to the LED boards which is immediately turned-on during emergencies. 
A built-in camera and a CCTV is also included.

Almost 90% of the calls received from the CLEAR system are medical emergencies. The new ambulance of the city is manned by a team of two nurses, one medic, and a driver. Tagbilaranons can call the 24/7 hotline 411-22-22, for assistance.