Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan urged all regular employees of the city government to avail of the free annual medical checkup being offered by the Manila Health Department (MHD).

On Thursday, July 4, the mayor urged city employees to go to the City Government Employees' Clinic (CGEC) and undergo the medical exam.

She said the employees must present their identification cards.

The mayor's appeal was made in time for the celebration of the National Nutrition Month.

She commended and congratulated all of the city's barangay nutrition scholars as the city marked the Nutrition Month.

"Maraming salamat po sa halos linggo-linggo na nakikita kayong paikot-ikot sa  lahat ng barangay at isinusulong lahat ng programa sa inyong nasasakupan (Thank you very much for almost every week of going around all the barangays and promoting all the programs in your constituency)," she said.

She noted that some employees do not seem to mind their health and only get checked once an illness sets in.

Lacuna-Pangan, who is also a doctor, emphasized that detecting an illness early could save them money, time and effort.

According to MHD head Dr. Arnold Pangan, the mayor has specific orders to the MHD to ensure that all of the city's employees are covered in the city's health benefits.

"Kabilin-bilinan ni mayora na dapat bawat kawani ay pangalagaan, kaya hinihikayat ko ang lahat na magtungo sa CGEC (The mayor's directive is that every employee should be taken cared of, so I encourage everyone to go to CGEC)," he said.