City of Mati, Davao Oriental – A jampacked barangay hall of Barangay Badas eagerly waited for the program of the Nagkakaisang Lingkod Bayan ng Davao Oriental-Brgy. Outreach Caravan, the 22nd caravan for this year, 2018, while services also started in each respective venues facilitated by the different departments of the provincial government, city government of Mati, and national line agencies.
Punong Barangay Antonietto “Jing” Arles reiterated his gratitude to Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang for the outpour of services to his constituents, an experience that is beyond putting into oblivion by the beneficiaries.
“It never dawn on us that the government will bring its services to the people this way. Because of the NLD-Brgy. Outreach Caravan, my people availed of the free consultation and medicines, will be able to start a new and alternative livelihood through the seedlings and fingerlings given to them, and others,” he said.
Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang was so delighted to see the huge crowd, which according to him, manifested the strong support of the people for the program he conceptualized years back.
“I would like to emphasize that our purpose here is to bring these services right to where you are. This might be new to you because this never has happened before. And this is the fruit of convergence of the provincial government, city government, and national line agencies in giving services to the whole Davao Oriental,” he explained.
The Governor added that despite the distance of the province which is located at the south eastern tip of the country, but still, investors can be enticed if the people are given opportunities for livelihood.
Dayanghirang revealed one secret that has to be shared among the residents of the province.
“The secret is we should unite, we should help one another, and maintain peace and order, then we can entice more investors that is tantamount to more development in the province,” the Governor added.
Also, Dayanghirang once more appealed to the barangay folks to help the provincial government in the fight against illegal drugs, and in strong compliance to the thrust of the national government.
Police Senior Supt. Jose Bayani Gucela, OIC Provincial Director of the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office commended the provincial government for the NLD-BOC.
“I am still in my third week as Provincial Director in the province, but I have already been also to other places in the region. And this is my first time to see such a festive atmosphere in bringing the services to the constituents. As such, we have to really support this program,” he said.
The program was highlighted with the distribution of seedlings, fingerlings and livelihood opportunities to beneficiary residents.
For this year, the provincial government targets 100 barangays.
“We have to double our efforts to meet our target. We have the schedule already, and it’s with Mr. Rotchie Ravelo,” he furthered.
Participating agencies in the Brgy. Badas NLD-BOC included the PNP, AFP, Dept. of Health, Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources, Land Transportation Office, Dept. of Agriculture, SSS, Philhealth, Dept. of Labor and Employment, Dept. of Trade and Industry, among others.
After the program, the ceremonial tree planting followed.
The next stop of the caravan is the municipality of Boston, slated in July.
Witnessing and taking part in the caravan were Vice Governor Nino Uy, Board Members Anacleto Macatabog and Ian Larcia, Councilor Stephen Paul Uy, Maj. Mark Anthony Villacorte of the Philippine Army, and Punong Barangay-elect Bonifacio Visitacion.
To date, the NLD-BOC has served 240,838 residents, including 33,740 agri-beneficiaries, and 896 beneficiaries who received tilapia fingerlings. The NLD-Barangay Outreach Caravan is an enormous part of the provincial government’s thrust of good and inclusive local governance. Photos by Elvin Pellejo
