A total of 276 mothers from the city’s 70 barangays received financial assistance under the third tranche of the city government’s “Gift of Life” program aimed at easing childbirth-related expenses and promoting timely birth registration.
During the distribution, Legazpi City Mayor Hisham Ismail said the program provides PHP5,000 to qualified mothers who give birth in private facilities and PHP7,000 to those who deliver in public facilities within the city.
“As a nurse by profession, I want our programs to start from womb to tomb so that every Legazpeño can receive benefits from the City Government of Legazpi,” Ismail said.
He said the assistance could help families purchase essential needs for newborns, such as diapers and vitamins, and cover unexpected expenses, particularly for mothers who undergo cesarean delivery.
Ismail said the assistance is not intended to encourage pregnancy, noting that the amount is only meant to augment expenses of raising a child.
He also urged beneficiaries to use the money for their children’s needs, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life, which he said are important to a child’s physical development, nutrition, and cognitive development.
The mayor said the program is implemented year-round under a city ordinance, covering qualified residents who give birth in eligible facilities within the city.
He said the higher assistance for mothers who give birth in public facilities also considers their PhilHealth share and their need for additional support in purchasing necessities for their children.
City Civil Registrar’s Office head Priscilla Galicia said the third tranche covers 276 beneficiaries from all 70 barangays.
“This is the third tranche of the Gift of Life program. It helps augment the expenses of those who gave birth in private or public birthing facilities, so they have something to buy for the needs of their babies,” Galicia said.
She said the program also aims to encourage timely civil registration, noting that some parents do not immediately bring the necessary documents to the City Civil Registrar’s Office after obtaining their child’s birth certificate.
Galicia said beneficiaries must meet four requirements: the child must have been born in a birthing facility within Legazpi City; at least one parent must be a Legazpeño; the birth must be registered on time with the City Civil Registrar’s Office; and the birth must fall within the effectivity of the ordinance.
She advised parents to register their newborns within 30 days of birth and visit the City Civil Registrar’s Office to apply for the assistance.
The program covers births at city government-run lying-in facilities, the Super Health Centers in Rawis and Homapon, and private hospitals and birthing facilities within Legazpi City.
For beneficiary Charise Retuerma, 42, a mother of seven from Barangay Washington, the assistance provides additional support for her family’s needs, particularly milk and diapers for her newborn. Her husband works as a construction worker.
“Thank you to Mayor Hisham Ismail for providing this kind of program for mothers who have recently given birth. It is a big help in augmenting our needs, particularly for milk and diapers,” Retuerma said.
Trexie Regalario, 26, a mother of four from Barangay Oro Site who gave birth at a private birthing home, said the assistance would help her buy diapers and other necessities for her newborn while also helping meet the needs of her other children who are attending school.
“It is a big help because I can buy the things my child needs, particularly diapers, while also helping with the needs of my other children. It can also be used for food and their school allowance,” Regalario said. (PNA)
