Shaping a better future and prioritizing solutions for Marikeños’ needs, concerns

As the city mayor of Marikina, Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro is committed to making a meaningful difference by addressing the needs and concerns of his constituents and offering solutions that pave the way for a brighter future for the city.

Teodoro believes that real change happens when the government and citizens work together to address local needs, so he adopts a whole-community approach to communicate with constituents and provide effective solutions to their needs.

They visit communities, listen to concerns, and collaborate with the City Council and other stakeholders to ensure that the city government stays closely connected to the people’s needs.

“As mayor, I strive daily to honor the trust my constituents have placed in me and work tirelessly to make life better for every resident,” he said.

One of the most essential needs of all Marikina residents is effective flood management, as the city’s geographical location makes it highly susceptible to flooding.

To address this, the local government conducted extensive dredging operations along the Marikina River to increase its capacity to hold water during heavy rains. They have also rehabilitated the river and constructed flood-control infrastructure to protect vulnerable areas.

“This investment not only safeguards property but also provides residents with a sense of security, knowing their city is prepared for weather-related challenges,” the mayor assured.

Poverty, Health, and Education 

Under Teodoro’s administration, addressing poverty and creating job opportunities for Marikeños have been key priorities.

To make sure that the local government could provide various opportunities for everyone, they partnered with the national government and private sector to hold annual job fairs that provide residents with diverse employment options. 

“Participating companies from sectors such as BPO, finance, healthcare, and hospitality allow residents to explore careers in multiple fields, helping them achieve economic stability and professional growth,” Teodoro said. 

Teodoro also prioritizes the health and safety of Marikeños, so the city government ensured accessible healthcare for all.

In line with this, the mayor announced the recent opening of the Marikina City Dialysis Center, which provides free dialysis treatment to residents. The center is equipped with 22 modern dialysis machines and staffed by a dedicated team of healthcare professionals offering high-quality care.”

“Our collaboration with PhilHealth ensures the facility is equipped with skilled staff, including nephrologists, nurses, and technicians, who provide exemplary service,” Teodoro assured.

‘Proud of our progress’

He also mentioned that amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, to keep everyone safe, the city responded swiftly through building a robust healthcare system, which became a top priority.

They also implemented World Health Organization (WHO) protocols, focusing on screening, testing, and timely treatment. 

He said the city government overcame regulatory hurdles to establish a molecular diagnostic laboratory that offers free testing for marginalized residents.

“Also, we implemented community quarantines, contact tracing, and public space disinfection to limit virus transmission and protect public health,” he added.

Despite the pandemic, Teodoro emphasized that education remained a priority. To ensure students could continue learning at home, the local government invested in tablets and other resources to support blended learning, allowing all students to study effectively and safely.

With the goal of strengthening the healthcare sector to better serve the community, the local government offered scholarships to Marikina residents pursuing medical degrees at select Metro Manila schools.

“These scholarship recipients commit to serving as doctors for the city government for two years after passing their board exams, contributing to a sustainable healthcare workforce for our community,” he said.

Senior citizens

Aside from students, Teodoro also recognizes the contributions of senior citizens in the city, wherein he recently signed an ordinance doubling the birthday cash gift for seniors to P2,000. 

“This gesture acknowledges their contributions and provides additional support to enhance their quality of life,” he explained.

Currently, according to the data from the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), there are around 96,000 senior citizens in Marikina.

“Through open communication, strong partnerships, and strategic initiatives across employment, healthcare, flood management, and social services, I remain committed to improving the lives of Marikina’s residents,” Teodoro said.

“I am proud of our progress and continue to seek innovative, practical solutions to meet the challenges we face as a city,” he added.

(Photo) Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro assisted citizens of Marikina City during the pandemic. (Photos from Marikina PIO)