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    Social and Health inadequacies have resulted in a weak social structure and poor health conditions of the underprivileged poor which now is running to about 56% incidence of the poverty levels.

    The presence of LGU operated health centers, infirmaries, secondary hospitals and national tertiary hospitals has not been sufficient to address the medical requirements of the poor sectors and is now also affecting the middle income sectors. The policy of “Service for a Fee” in government-run hospitals has further aggravated the situation of the lower income groups due to additional burden of payment for services aside from the cost of procurement of medicines which is the highest in the Asian Region. Lack of investment in medical facilities has rendered our medical equipment obsolete to address the modern methods of diagnostic medicine and cure. The lack of this modern equipment increases the cost for the patients since diagnosis of ailments cannot be efficiently done and results in trial and error cure. Little investments are going into updating of hospitals and health centers. This inadequacy coupled with the Service for a Fee practices, high cost of medicine has contributed to the poor sectors inability to finance their medical requirements. This has had a debilitating effect on the health of a large number of the population.

    Lack of funding for preventive medicine like immunization, vaccination and reproductive health programs have made the deprived sector vulnerable to communicable diseases, causing a large amount of their income for curative interventions instead of being able to use this available resources for food, education and other needs.

    The City Government is determined in addressing these problems by providing the necessary financial requirements to undertake programs such as:

    Covering the poor with health insurance under the Medisina para sa Mahirap Program wherein the cost is shared with PhilHealth.

    Establishment of a modern health center that is well-equipped with Diagnostic Equipment/Instruments at subsidized cost for more accurate diagnosis of patients and surgical capacity for minor operations. For major operations, this can be referred to secondary and tertiary hospitals with subsidy coming from LGU for indigent patients and the extension to barangay health centers of other medical services.

    Medicines for the indigent patients at subsidized prices and free for those very poor without capacity to purchase medicines.

    Strong programs on Preventive Medicine like immunization and vaccination program for children.

    Development of strong barangay health workers with capability to bring health services to grass root levels.

    Reproductive Health Program with emphasis on family planning methods.

    Training programs to enhance medical personnel capability.

    It is anticipated that with a well managed health care program, the financial requirements for medical needs by poor families can be diverted towards better food, education, etc. Also this would revert to a health workforce capable of rendering labor at all times and ensuring a steady income. After all “ labor is the major resource of a poor man”. Keeping him healthy shall ensure his capacity to work and earn.

    Nutrition also play a vital role in the proper mental and physical capabilities of children from birth until elementary school levels. Poor nutrition due to lack of food and proper diet contributes to deficiencies in the development of mental capacities. These inadequacies produce children who are slow in mental capacity and later become a permanent deficiency and produce children known as slow learners. The physical development is also stunted causing weak and sickly children. These sickly children increase the need to allocate little resources available for medical needs.

    A good nutrition program addressing the dietary requirements for proper nutrition should be set in place.When necessary, supplemental feeding interventions should be undertaken to rehabilitate medium to severe malnourished children to ensure their survival and recovery before serious damage can occur. Proper nutrition education should be promoted to mothers on the proper nutrition needs of their children.

    Another major consideration for addressing poverty is in the field of education. Here again is the factor which contribute to the difficulties in extricating families out of poverty. Lack of education must be in the forefront of the quest for poverty eradication. The city is ready to give priority to infrastructures needed, like school rooms, libraries, playgrounds, equipment as well as the need of capability building process for teachers and school personnel to upgrade teaching methods with complimentary supply of books, materials and introduction of information technology to enhance quality education in the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels. Post secondary, vocational and science and technology schools must be set-up as well as tertiary education for the different college level courses with emphasis on technological courses. The setting up of non-formal education for out of school youth for skills training and vocational courses are necessary.

    All the available educational institutions shall be made available to low income families to ensure that each individual gets the necessary education to integrate himself in society with his own duties and responsibilities and can play an active role.

    The concerns of the women sector need to be properly acted upon to ensure that this sector is properly integrated and protected into the mainstream of development. Livelihood programs, entrepreneurial training, maternal and child care programs, family planning, equality and consultation are but a few of the needs of women to integrate them socially, economically and politically. The need to organize women into groups for consultative proceedings, decision-making and governance must be established. Education on childcare and nutrition must be provided to mothers who are after all, the major child care givers in society. A strong women sector organized and mobilized to render support to their families shall have a strong positive impact in reducing poverty in families.

    The integration of all stakeholders in the development process; the poor and old persons, persons with disability, persons in difficult situations and the youth. In order to distribute resources for equity and ensure non-exclusion of individuals or groups, the problem should be approached with a totality . These should include all aspects of social development, in equity and social justice, law and order, human rights, drug abuse, environmental protection and ecological balance to enable society to give full meaning and support all stakeholders in civil society.