PUTTING the needs of local people at heart is the key attribute of a good leader. “I am assuring my constituents that I will extend my services to them as they can now see me in my office every day for their needs,” Mayor Imelda said when attending her first flag ceremony as mayor of the city in 2019. Looking to her records, she proved that her leadership created positive impacts that allow local people to experience improvement in various aspects.
Among many aspects, health was one of her key foci. She continuously ensured that health and medicine supplies at hospitals were always available. She also played an instrumental role in the procurement of hospital equipment such as incubators and ventilators. In relation to this, she made free medicine service in hospital accessible by patients whenever the medicines were not available in the hospital pharmacy. Included in this initiative were the distribution of relief goods for people affected by natural and man-made calamities and distribution of three units of mini ambulances, three units of fire truck penetrators, and 20 units of multi-cabs to 20 zones in the city for emergency health cases.
She also showed concern on the importance of infrastructure for better urban life. With this in mind, she coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways for various infrastructure projects such as roads and drainage systems, school buildings, barangay halls, multi-purpose covered courts, multi-purpose buildings, etc.. Enlivening the city life, she supported other development programmes including Dancesports Programme to teach children different types of dance and to provide them with opportunities to compete nationally and internationally. She also embraced inclusion during her term as a congresswoman. Take for example, the bill she proposed that prohibits discrimination against any individual in employment on account of age (anti-age discrimination in employment act). This bill was finally signed into law by President Benigno S. Aquino III: REPUBLIC ACT (RA) 10911 and lapsed into law in 2016.
Other bills that she authored and were also signed into laws include RA 10366 An Act Authorizing the Commission on Elections to Establish Precincts Assigned to Accessible Polling Places Exclusively for Persons With Disability and Senior Citizens, RA 10524 or An Act Expanding the Positions Reserved for Persons With Disability, an Amendment to the Magna Carta for Persons With Disability, RA 10687 or An Act Providing for a Comprehensive and Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST); and RA 10699 or An Act Expanding the Coverage of Incentives Granted to National Athletes and Coaches. Her efforts were recognised as she became an awardee of Outstanding and Significant Achievement in Public Service, Golden Globe Annual Awards for Outstanding Filipino Achievers in 2016.
When delivering a speech during her first flag ceremony as a mayor of the city in 2019, Mayor Imelda said that she would give priority to education programmes by increasing cash assistance to scholars. With her proven leadership and commitment, local people of Pasay can look forward to seeing improvement in their life and city.
Source:
https://www.pasay.gov.ph/Congresswoman.html
https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/07/01/emi-calixto-rubiano-assumes-post-as-pasay-city-mayor-switched-offices-with-brother/
https://www.inhousecommunity.com/article/age-discrimination-in-the-workplace/
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/unicphoto/22258318028
