BONTOC, Mountain Province – Residents of Barangay Talubin in this municipality availed of the various government/ public services during the “Serbisyo Caravan” on May 15, 2024.
This initiative aims to bring government services and programs to the community, particularly in conflict-affected communities. For this year, Bontoc has five End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) barangays to include Alab Proper, Balili, Talubin, Bayyo, and Maligcong. The Serbisyo Caravan is part of the Retooled Community Support Program – an umbrella program under Executive Order No. 70 institutionalizing the whole-of-nation approach in the country.
Now on its third leg, the Serbisyo Caravan has benefitted the villagers of Talubin as the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC) in collaboration with different agencies offered their services and programs and conducted community consultation during the event.
The Municipal Health Office conducted the first patient encounter, check-up, blood type, and provision of free medicines while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and Municipal Disability Affairs Office (MDAO) conducted the pay-out of financial assistance to Persons with Disability (PWDs).
The Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAg) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Provincial Government of Mountain Province through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) and Office of the Provincial Veterinarian conducted the onsite enrolment of farmers in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), application to the Philippines Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), and the provision of vegetable seeds, dewormer and vitamins for dogs and other livestock. These are all free of charge.
The personnel from the Bontoc Municipal Police Station (MPS) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology provided free haircuts to the residents while the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) – Mountain Province Chapter provided free legal consultation.
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) initiated an onsite registration with the Philippine Identification System for the national ID. Aside from this, the PSA in partnership with the Municipal Civil Registrar’s Office facilitated the application of PSA Documents.
The Office of the Municipal Assessor delivered copies of documents on real properties and the same time verified, reviewed and evaluated said documents while the Office of the Municipal Treasurer accepted payments from taxpayers for their real properties.
Aside from these, different offices of the Bontoc LGU and partner national government agencies informed the constituents of their programs and services that the public may avail of. At the same time, they provided consultation and responded to the queries of the public.
Other partner national government agencies that were present include the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Pag-IBIG Fund, Department of Education-Mountain Province, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG- Mountain Province), Bureau of Fire Protection – Bontoc Municipal Fire Station (BFP-MFS), DA- Agricultural Program Coordinating Office- Mountain Province Field Office, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
According to Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Lourdes Claire Peel of the DILG – Bontoc Field Operating Unit, the Serbisyo Caravan is a government initiative to provide a one-stop-shop for various social services needed by constituents in conflict-affected communities. She added that the five identified ELCAC barangays will receive funding from the national government for the implementation of identified needed projects in their respective barangays.
Municipal Administrator Eric Fulangen, Sr., who represented Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., expressed happiness of the hundreds of attendees from the village adding that the event is a manifestation of the government’s unwavering commitment to delivering vital services directly to the grassroots level of the community.
On behalf of the Talubin community, Punong Barangay Jones Managtag who is also the Municipal Liga ng mga Barangay President extended his gratitude to the MTF-ELCAC and national government agencies for bringing their services and programs to their barangay. He added that the villagers felt the presence of the government and they gave their commitment and support towards attaining lasting peace.
Other officials present during the activity were Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen, Sangguniang Bayan members Jupiter Jule Kalangeg, Dan Evert Sokoken, Timothy Pongad, Jr., and Peter Kedawen. By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay
