The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) joined the Caravan of Government Services and Kadiwa ng Pangulo, led by the provincial government of Cebu.

Initiated by the provincial government of Cebu, the activity was designed to bring government services closer to the public, especially in the remote areas of the province. The services include free haircuts, massages, medical and dental check-ups, and anti-rabies vaccines. DSWD and other national government agencies like GISS, SSS, PCUP, DA, CSC, and others conduct information dissemination, answer queries, provide technical and legal assistance, etc.

NFA also offered cheaper rice to the public, which was limited to 5 kilos per purchase. PCSO also provides promos for their products. The University of San Carlos offers psychological consultation, and the University of the Philippines also offers scholarship applications.

Highlights were the distribution of wheelchairs, seedlings, food packages, and slippers to the identified Persons with Disabilities. The department also distributes Family Food Packs (FFPs) to the PWDs identified by the Provincial Local Social Welfare and Development Office.

In her message, Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero expressed that the agency is always ready to serve. Lucero added, “Ang mga programa sa DSWD, anaa ra gyud kanunay mohatag og haom nga tabang sa krisis nga nahiaguman (The programs of the DSWD are there to provide appropriate assistance in the crisis that has occurred).”

Aside from the services offered, the 10-day Caravan now includes the Kadiwa ng Pangulo’s local entrepreneurs, where most participants are the partner beneficiaries of the Sustainable Livelihood Program of DSWD and the Department of Agriculture.

The beneficiaries of the Sustainable Livelihood Program who were also participants in the Department of Agriculture’s Kadiwa ng Pangulo were thankful that they are now part of the caravan of government services because their market widens; the beneficiaries, farmers, and fisherfolk from neighboring municipalities will have the chance to join and also sell their produce. The previous caravan only focused on medical, dental, legal, and other services offered by the government and its partner agencies.

Jerry Bihay, one of the livelihood assistance grant (LAG) beneficiaries of the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program in Region 7, expressed the benefits of Kadiwa ng Pangulo to the local entrepreneurs.

Bihay added that it is more effective if the Kadiwa ng Pangulo and the Caravan of Services are done regularly. “Makatapok jud sa tawo tungod kay maka avail man sa serbisyo, kami usab manindahay, mokita sad kay daghan man tawo, unta permihon (People gather because they can avail of the services and we can also benefit from it through our sales. I hope this will be done frequently),” Bihay quipped.

In 10 days, the beneficiaries reached a total sales of Php 149,359.00. The beneficiaries are from Alcoy, Cordova, Sibonga, Ronda, Asturias, Carmen, Tabuelan, Pilar, San Francisco, and Madridejos.

Lucero thanked everyone, especially the provincial government, for the support of the provincial government to DSWD: “Among pagpasalamat sa Province, ingon man sa LGU sa pagsuporta sa among mga programa. Sa makanunayon among panghinaut nga permanenteng magmalampuson ang caravan of services (We thank the Province as well as the LGU for supporting our programs. We always wish the caravan of services a permanent success).” ###

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