By Chito Chavez
Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte plans to upgrade the city government’s data gathering records on health, livelihood, education, and other major concerns in the locality this year to provide a much improved public service to local residents.
Quezon City Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte. (Mark Balmores/MANILA BULLETIN)
In an interview, Belmonte admitted the city’s lack of data concerning residents’ current status on various aspects, making it hard for local officials to formulate ordinances that would address the problems of the city.
"I have mentioned several times that we need more data on different areas for us to find out the issues that require more attention. I observe that it is what we lack as of the moment that's why we can't pinpoint which aspects should we prioritize," Belmonte said.
Without accurate data, Belmonte has recognized the difficulty in creating projects that the public will truly benefit from.
Citing health as an example, Belmonte said city officials have no accurate facts to determine the usual causes of death and most common illnesses of their constituents.
Because of this inadequacies, Belmonte stressed the city government can't provide programs that will “better promote the prevention of those illnesses."
In December, Belmonte had allocated P20 million for the city's data collection program that will commence in the first quarter of the year.
“I have already allocated P20 million for us to have a data gathering component so there will be some person who will ask the people about their health conditions and any other concern,” Belmonte said.
To be included in the data collection are livelihood, education, employment, performing groups, sports, health, among others.