The local government of El Salvador City in Misamis Oriental will continue expanding its healthcare services this year after providing PHP35.17 million in medical assistance to residents in 2025.

Mayor Edgar Lignes said the local government funded most of the medical aid, while additional livelihood support was extended through partnerships with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the provincial government, and the Office of 2nd District Rep. and House Deputy Speaker Yevgeny Vincente Emano.

“We intend to help our people. We don’t want to see families selling their lands or cattle just to save the lives of their loved ones,” he said in a State of the City Address Saturday.

Lignes also highlighted the city’s various livelihood assistance programs, which provided a total of PHP3.4 million in funding to 22 associations last year.

Meanwhile, burial assistance reached PHP1.25 million in 2025, while social pension aid for senior citizens totaled PHP11.6 million.

Lignes further cited developments in agriculture, tourism and infrastructure, including a proposal to integrate the City College of El Salvador into the planned Tagnipa Central Business District, which will transform more than four hectares of city-owned property into a modern commercial and residential cityscape.

The local government likewise reported the ongoing development of the National Government Center and ICT Hub, which is expected to accommodate at least 15 regional offices of national government agencies.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Northern Mindanao has began operations at its new headquarters, while the National Bureau of Investigation held the groundbreaking ceremony for its regional office early June. (PNA)