BAY, Laguna Mayor Jose O. Padrid has endorsed Tingog party-list group led by Congresswoman Yedda Marie K. Romualdez in next year’s polls due to its selfless and compassionate service to his constituents.

“Kung anong pagmamahal ninyo sa akin bilang mayor ay siya ring pagmamahal na gusto kong ibigay ninyo sa Tingog,” Padrid told his constituents Sunday during a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing between him and Tingog party-list represented by its 2nd nominee and Romualdez’s chief of staff, Jude Avorque Acidre, for the implementation of various social services programs in the municipality.

Romualdez, chairperson of the House Committee on the Welfare of Children, is Tingog’s first nominee and actress-singer Karla Estrada, the very proud “momshie” of actor and recording artist Daniel Padilla, is the party-list group’s third nominee.

Acidre, national president of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippine, explained the MOA intends to establish a partnership between the Bay local government and Tingog party-list aimed towards a more efficient and effective delivery of the latter’s services and programs for the people.

He said the Tingog party-list recognized Padrid’s leadership in widening the access and implementation of their group’s assistance, programs and social services such as the Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).

“Under the compassionate leadership of Congresswoman Yedda, Tingog cares and it is committed to implement crucial programs for the betterment of our people. Tingog believes that performing our mandate efficiently as public servants will help make a difference to the lives of many people,” Acidre said, adding the MOA also seeks to formally establish a Tingog Help Desk for more efficient delivery of its social services programs.

Acidre said the party-list group administered free Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) to 500 beneficiaries through the help of Padrid and Municipal Social Worker and Development (MSWD) Officer Mosa D. Soriano as part of Tingog’s wellness program to fight pneumococcal infection, including the dreaded pneumonia in this time of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID) pandemic.

The vaccine works by causing a body to produce its own protection or antibodies against the infection by pneumococcal bacteria.

According to medical institutions, pneumococcal infection can cause some serious problems, such as pneumonia, which affects the lungs; meningitis, which affects the brain; and bacteremia, which is a severe infection in the blood that will lead to death, especially adults and persons with certain health conditions.

Acidre also said “the elderly are among those most at risk of acquiring pneumonia because they are considered immuno compromised.”

He stressed that the Tingog Help Desk in Bay has been operating for the last three months to extend medical, burial, transportation, financial, and livelihood assistance to the residents.

During the event, Acidre also said that 50 people have benefitted from medical assistance in different private and public hospitals.