Ate Sarah envisions a Pasig City where citizens no longer beg for services but instead receive them direct and fairly
“My vision for Pasig is that my fellow Pasigueños no longer have to ask for their basic needs.”
This was the strong statement of Pasig mayoral aspirant Sarah Discaya regarding the alleged shortcomings in basic services, such as assistance in education and healthcare, for Pasigueños.
Discaya made this statement after receiving a letter from a Pasigueño student requesting four reams of A4 bond paper because their class had run out of supplies. The student explained that they were contributing from their own allowances to buy paper.
According to Discaya, known in Pasig as Ate Sarah, she was deeply moved by the child’s letter because, despite her young age, she showed concern for their classmates, teachers, and parents.
“Letters like this from children further inspire and strengthen my determination to continue my goal of helping and providing them with a better future,” said Discaya.
Discaya’s family owns the St. Gerrard Charity Foundation, an organization that has been helping underprivileged sectors in Pasig for years through medical missions and other outreach programs.
She emphasized that basic needs, such as school supplies and medicines in hospitals and health centers, should no longer be something people have to request from City Hall but should be immediately and directly provided to residents.
SHORTCOMINGS
OF THE CURRENT
ADMINISTRATION
According to Discaya, there are essential needs of Pasigueños that have not been adequately addressed by the current mayor, Vico Sotto.
She explained that Sotto’s focus has been on good governance, which he defines as transparency and fighting corruption, but other sectors of the city have been neglected.
“The mayor focused on good governance, which is why other sectors in Pasig City were left behind,” she added.
Through her visits to different communities, Discaya has observed gaps in educational services. While the city provides free uniforms for students, not all of them actually receive these benefits.
Because of this, she stressed that true good governance means ensuring sufficient and effective public services, especially in education.
“As well as good governance, you should also not forget the basic services and needs of every Pasigueño, such as healthcare and education,” she said.
If elected as mayor, one of Discaya’s flagship programs would be to provide inclusive scholarship programs for Pasig students—including those with barely passing grades—to ensure they also have opportunities for a brighter future.
PASIG’s DECLINE
IN HIGHLY URBANIZED
CITIES’ RANKINGS
In 2024, Pasig City dropped in the Highly Urbanized Cities Rankings of the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index, falling from 6th place in 2019 to 9th place in 2024.
One of the key factors in the city’s decline was its low score in government efficiency, which includes services such as education, healthcare, peace and order, and social protection.
SMART CITY VISION
FOR PASIG
Discaya aims to transform Pasig into a “smart city,” which will include:
✔ Smart Schools – Equipped with modern technology for students
✔ Smart Hospitals – Fully stocked with medicines, healthcare professionals, and medical equipment
Through innovative solutions, Discaya envisions a city where citizens no longer have to beg for services but instead receive them directly and fairly.
