City Hall opens Atipan help desk to boost access

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Iloilo City government is bringing social and government services closer to residents through the launch of the Atipan Center help desk at the City Hall’s ground floor, as more people seek personalized assistance.

Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said the dedicated help desk is intended to ease transactions for walk-in clients by offering guidance, basic information, and referrals without requiring them to navigate multiple floors.

“We’re bringing services closer to the people,” Treñas-Chu said. “If it’s just inquiries they need, they no longer have to go all the way to the seventh floor. The process should be easy, accessible and clear.”

Since its launch on Aug. 18, the Atipan Center has directly served more than 6,000 Ilonggos.

As of Nov. 18, the center recorded 2,965 beneficiaries of financial assistance, 738 for social services, 702 for livelihood and education support, 638 for burial assistance, 341 for help and assistance desk queries, and 747 beneficiaries served through Atipan Fairs in Jaro and Molo.

The help desk caters to individuals who need guidance on requirements, information on eligibility, and instructions on accessing programs.

Full processing of aid requests remains handled by the Atipan Center’s main office on the seventh floor.

The Atipan Center offers financial assistance for medical needs, burial aid, livelihood and educational programs, health and dental services, and other social services.

The city government is studying the possibility of establishing Atipan Centers at the district level.

In the meantime, Treñas-Chu said barangay officials are being empowered to help indigent residents prepare their documents properly to ensure smoother transactions at the center.