KIAMBA, Sarangani (September 27, 2022) - Various national line agencies, men in uniform, and municipal and provincial offices continue to collaborate in bringing public services closer to the people.

On September 26, the Serbisyo Caravan para sa Sarangan, along with the Ronda Probinsya program of Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao, conducted its last leg in Kiamba, with Sitio Green Valley in Barangay Nalus as its site.

A total of 937 residents benefited from the activity coming from five sitios including Tabotong with 240 beneficiaries; Lahak-Awa with 143; Green Valley with 244; Tulad with 262; and Banate with 48.

To reach the site from the highway, service providers and officials travelled almost two hours on a rough and muddy road. In this route locals have to pay P190 for a one-way habal-habal ride.

Heavy equipment from the local government of Kiamba were sent in advance on orders of Mayor George Falgui to make sure that vehicles of the service providers could pass through difficult portions.

The Serbisyo Caravan para sa Sarangan commenced in 2021 pursuant to Executive Order No. 70 by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) through institutionalizing the Whole-Of-Nation approach to attain inclusive and sustainable peace.

Since the caravan started, service providers from different offices and agencies have been to some of the far-flung areas in Sarangani.

Provincial ELCAC focal person Lizette Lopez emphasized the efforts of the service providers, saying that without them, "we can’t bring Serbisyo Caravan into life."

"Sila kasi itong ating pinaka-foundation, our heroes in bringing these basic services dito sa ating mga beneficiaries lalung-lalo na to those who are living in our GIDA (Geographically-Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas) just like dito sa Nalus," Lopez added.

Staff from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Departments of Agriculture and Environment and Natural Resources have provided planting and farm tools, fertilizers, fingerlings, and fruit and vegetable seeds; food packs were provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development; orientation of services and jobs fair from the Department of Labor and Employment; driver’s license registration from the Land Transportation Office; and membership registration helpdesk from PhilHealth, PAG-IBIG, and Social Security System.

The office of Congressman Steve Chiongbian Solon, through his Serbisyong Sarangan Community Outreach Program, had provided mobility devices such as crutches and wheelchairs. The office of Vice Governor Elmer De Peralta distributed reading glasses.

There were helpdesks and seminars conducted by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Trade and Industry, Local Civil Registrar, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Ronda Probinsya Program. Possible housing projects were presented by the National Housing Authority.

The Philippine Statistics Authority provided issuance of civil registry documents; livelihood skills and training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority; land tenure and land conflict assistance from the Department of Agrarian Reform; and scholarship assistance from the Department of Science and Technology.

The local government of Sarangani conducted rice distribution. Provincial offices, including the provincial veterinarian, legal, health, barangay affairs, disaster risk reduction and management, administrator, information, and agriculture, have also taken their part in the Serbisyo Caravan.

Men in uniform from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army, and Reservists secured the safety, peace, and order of the Serbisyo Caravan. Representatives from Davao-based Philippine Air Force distributed buckets of hygiene kits and other basic necessities.

Barangay Nalus is one of the recipients of the P20M funding for barangay projects and programs from the Local Government Support Fund-Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) under the General Appropriations Act 2022.

According to Barangay Captain Ruben Atiga, the funding was allotted for the ongoing construction of their health center and for concreting portions of roads going to their sitios.

In his message, Governor Pacquiao assured to visit all the 142 barangays in Sarangani to see the situation of the Sarangans, to know their needs and be able to deliver them right to their homes.

“Lisod ang pagpasaka diri sa inyong lugar pero kana dili hinungdan para kita makapoy sa pagpanghatag og klase-klaseng mga serbisyo alang sa atong katawhan,” said Pacquiao.

“Nasugdan naman gyud nato ning challenging nga dalan para maadtuan mo, magsunod-sunod pa ni para napud maadtuan ang uban pa natong mga igsuong Sarangan sa mga lagyong lugar sa ubang parte pa sa atong probinsya,” he added.

Vice Governor De Peralta also urged the residents in Nalus to support the administration of Governor Pacquiao. “Magtinabangay ta para makab-ot nato ang atong pag-asenso, apilan na sad natog pag-ampo ug pagsalig sa Ginoo.”

Present during the Serbisyo Caravan were Mayor Falgui, Vice Mayor Marie Jess Ancheta, Board Member Arnold Abequibel, municipal and barangay officials, Sarangani PNP Provincial Director PCol. Nicomedes Olaivar Jr., 38th Infantry Battalion Commander LtCOL Anhouvic Atilano, Provincial Administrator Atty. Ryan Jay Ramos, and some provincial department heads.

Through the Department of the Interior and Local Government headed by Provincial Director Engr. Samuel Camaganacan, the Serbisyo Caravan para sa Sarangan has always been successful in delivering public services closer to the people. (Joshua John S. Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)

  Jake T. Narte