DAVAO ORIENTAL — After a hiatus of almost a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Nagkakaisang Lingkod-Bayan ng Davao Oriental Outreach Caravan is back — this time bringing much-needed services in the sitios.
On April 29-30, around 1,050 households in two sitios in the municipality of Manay were overjoyed to receive free goods and services offered at the caravan. 250 families are from Sitio Matabang in Barangay Taocanga who benefited on the first day and about 800 households from Sitio Madsayap, Old Macopa took part and benefited on the different services offered.
Personnel from the local and provincial government along with the agencies led by Governor Nelson Dayanghirang did not mind the difficult condition of the roads to extend their heartfelt services.
Governor Dayanghirang, who conceptualized and initiated the program that aims to provide holistic services for sustainable peace and development, expressed his delight to go back to these sitios once again which are now marked with progress and peace due to the absence of insurgency.
While there are still portions of road that are in poor condition, a vast length are now paved. “My happiness is immeasurable seeing that the once long travel from poblacion Manay to Sitio Matabang that used to take about a day can now be traveled only merely an hour,” Governor Dayanghirang said. He vowed to have the construction of roads finished from the Manay proper to the Sitio Matabang “as it is my dream to have this long stretch of road concreted,Governor Dayanghirang said, noting that the area is rich in many tourism sites including the majestic Diomaboc Lake.
The Governor committed implementing projects in Sitio Matabang including a covered court/activity center and other high-impact projects.
The same goes for Sitio Madsayap wherein the Governor vowed to have its roads maintained and finished as well as ensuring the residents of the continued services, programs and assistance started by his older brother, the late Mayor Antero Dayanghirang through his son Jon Marco Dayanghirang.
During the caravan, various services were provided. The first in line is the Davao Oriental Capitol Clinic (DOCC) which has offered free medical check up with the dispensing of medicines and eye check up with free eyeglasses.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed malongs and food packs to every household in Sitio Matabang while hygiene kits and food packs in every household in Sitio Madsayap.
Aside from providing security, peace and order, the men-in-uniform also extended their participation in lending services. The Philippine National Police (PNP) offered palugaw, free haircut, and “libreng tsinelas para sa mga bata” (free slippers), including face masks and hygiene kits. The Philippine Army, on the other hand, conducted “Operation Tuli” and also provided free haircut.
The Provincial Agriculture Office (PAGRO) turned over 30 bags OPV White Corn Seeds, 30 packs assorted vegetable seeds (8 in 1), 25 pieces durian seedlings, 50 pieces mangosteen seedlings and 2,500 tilapia fingerlings to residents in Sitio Matabang under the Pagkain at Kita Sustainable Agriculture Village Enterprise (SAVE) Program.
In addition, PAGRO also distributed 10 bags OPV White Corn Seeds and another 30 packs assorted vegetable seeds (8 in 1) to residents in Barangay Taocanga in support to NTF-ELCAC and NLD-BOC. Other planting materials were also turned over to Sitio Madsayap.
Meanwhile, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided cash assistance in its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Program.
Furthermore, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) also gave free consultations for the different animals including deworming, rabies vaccination, and vitamins not just for Dogs but for Carabaos, Cows, Pigs, Chickens and others as well.
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) was also present in distributing Member Data Records (MDRs) and in extending their knowledge in answering different inquiries, concerns including the benefits PhilHealth has to offer.
Solar lights were also given to the sitios from Councilors Jon Marco Dayanghirang and Mae Dayanghirang-Llavore while Philippine Anti-drug Abuse Council (PADAC) together with Board Member Nelson Dayanghirang Jr. turned over sports equipment including basketballs and volleyballs with net.
Environmental and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) also contributed in distributing Falcata Seeds and seedling bags along with other agencies and stakeholders.
During the program, games and entertainment were showcased with different prices from Governor Dayanghirang entailing t-shirts, wall clocks, mugs and umbrellas. Bond papers were also handed out to schools in support to modular learning of the students.
Also present during the programs in both Sitios are the 701st Brigade Commander Col. Oliver Maquiling, incoming 67th Infantry Battalion Commander Lt.Col. Michael Aquino, Davao Oriental Provincial Police Office (DOPPO) Provincial Director PCol. Efren E. Orlina, Municipal Vice Mayor Benjie Lahora and other officials. Story by Mark Oliver Alvite | Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
