By Teresita Cardenas
CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) -- In line with the national government's thrust of bringing the government services directly to the people, the Provincial Government of Northern Samar conducted its 6th round of Kauswagan Caravan at Brgy. Giparayan, clustered with San Ramon, Igot, and Inanahawan all of Pambujan, on August 12.
The Kauswagan caravan is a flagship program of Governor Edwin Marino Ongchuan aimed to empower the poor, marginalized, and disadvantaged individuals and families, especially those from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, through education and information.
“The provincial and national government are here, bringing the basic social services closer to all of you so that you don’t need to go to the Provincial Capitol just to avail all of these services,” said Governor Ongchuan as he delivered his inspirational message.
The activity enabled the province to attain its goal of delivering the basic social services and social packages to the identified barangays of the different municipalities of the province.
Participating agencies include the Department of Health (DOH), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Environment and Natural and Resources (DENR), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Bureau of Aquatic and Fishery Resources (BFAR), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), University of Eastern Philippines (UEP), Red Cross, Norsamelco, Philippine National Police (PNP), and 803rd Infantry Brigade.
A one-stop-shop of different services was offered at the barangay auditorium which included medical check-up and COVID-19 vaccination for the A1 and A2 priority group (DOH/PHO), provision of relief/food packs (PSWDO), distribution of vegetable seedling, eight (8) knapsack sprayer, 22 sprinklers (PAO), distribution of 10 hygiene kits and four (4) gardening kits (PGENRO).
There was also distribution of 60 abaca seedlings and 500 coffee seedlings (PhilFida), free circumcision (BFP), free haircut (AFP), free manicure and pedicure and distribution of training and assessment certification (TESDA), family planning information campaign, and giving out of pills and contraceptives (PPO) and blood typing (Red Cross).
Other services included information campaign against drug abuse (NSPPO), distribution of native chicken, provision of 50 meters of polynet for every barangay, and rabies vaccination (PVO), distribution of school supplies (NSPESO), distribution of slippers (PNP), vitamins, and toys for children (PGO).
A tree planting activity led by Governor Ongchuan was also part of the caravan wherein all heads and representatives of the national government agencies as well as the provincial government department heads participated in this important move to save the environment.
In his welcome remarks, Pambujan Mayor Felipe Sosing expressed his appreciation and gratitude both to the national and provincial governments for championing this kind of activity despite the difficulty of transportation.
On the other hand, Brgy. Captain Serafin Longcop of Barangay Giparayan, Pambujan also expressed his appreciation to the national and provincial government for the opportune time to let the people avail such kind of government services.
Giparayan is accessible through a pump boat for about 20 to 30 minutes ride from Barangay Balnasan of San Roque.
In an interview with Arvin Siervo, 55 years old of Giparayan, one of the major issues he raised is the absence of secondary school that parents need to send their children to the nearest barangay through the river channel just to get a basic high school education. He is optimistic that one day the Department of Education will open a high school in their barangay. (NBQ/TBC/PIA-8/Northern Samar)
(Source: PIA)