Agri-10 distributes assorted veggie seeds during the Info and Basic Services Caravan in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental.

 

BALINGASAG, MISAMIS ORIENTAL – As part of its commitment to community-centered governance, the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, joins the Information and Basic Services Caravan on June 14, held in Barangay Camuayan, here.

Spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency-10 (PIA-10) in collaboration with the Philippine Army (PA), Regional Association of Government Communicators (RAGCOM), and other regional agencies, the activity aimed to strengthen government efforts in ending local communist armed conflict (ELCAC) in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).

Lieutenant Colonel Christian C. Uy of the 58th Infantry Battalion (IB) highlighted one among the challenges faced by residents in sitios Kapukhawan, Lapu-Lapu, and Bagang, who often feel neglected by the government, making them more susceptible to recruitment by rebel groups.

“Ang among tahas mao ang pagpahibalo sa katawhan kung unsa ang nagkadaiyang programa ug mga proyekto sa kagamhanan, aron ilang masabtan kung unsaon ang pag avail pud sa maong mga programa,” Uy said.

(Our task is to inform the people of the various programs and projects of the government, so they will understand on how to avail of these programs.)

The caravan assisted 35 households, or around 135 individuals, most of whom depend on farming for their livelihood. For the agency’s part, DA-10 distributed 100 repacked assorted vegetable seeds, including kangkong, eggplant, pechay, squash, okra, ampalaya, and pole sitao.

In response to the assistance, Barangay Captain Weljohn S. Daguit expressed his gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the participating agencies.

“Magpasalamaton gyud ta sa nagkadaiyang agency nga nagkatigom gyud ta karon, na ang atong damgo nga mafeel gyud sa atong mga katawhan dinhi sa kabukiran bisan unsa man kalayo, naa ang gobyerno andam mutabang kanato,” Daguit said.

(Let’s truly be thankful for the different agencies that have gathered with us here today. Our dream of bringing help from the government closer to us, here in the countryside, has been achieved.)

Addressing the needs of such remote communities are also other NorMin agencies like TESDA, BFAR, Philhealth, DOH, DepEd, DENR, DSWD, DPWH, PNP, COMELEC, BJMP, DOST, BOC, DTI, DICT, and PAFCPIC, who have provided essential goods and services, ranging from food packs, school supplies, cash assistance, among others.# (JLPC)