TARLAC CITY – About 750 members of People’s Organizations (POs) in Tarlac City received free government services and assistance during the Serbisyo Caravan, which was held in line with the peaceful commemoration of the 21st anniversary of the Hacienda Luisita incident.
Initiated by the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist, the caravan aimed to promote community awareness, camaraderie, and peace, as well as to enhance order and improve the quality of life of PO members.
This year’s Serbisyo Caravan provided a range of free services, including medical and dental check-ups, vitamins, medicines, laboratory and x-ray services, and legal advice.
Members of Malayang Magbubukid ng Hacienda Luisita (MALAYA), Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid ng Hacienda Luisita, Cut-Cut II Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Central Azucarera de Tarlac Cooperative, and Ungot Coconut Village Cooperative also received vegetable seedlings, rice, grocery packs, and solar lights.
National Intelligence Coordinating Agency Regional Director Ulysses Untalan underscored the government’s approach to strengthening community resilience and collective commitment toward peace and development.
“Ang layunin po ng Serbisyo Caravan ay hindi lamang po tulong, but to be resilient—iyong ating komunidad. (The purpose of the Serbisyo Caravan is not only to help, but to make our community resilient),” he said.
Meanwhile, on behalf of the members, MALAYA Chairperson Florida Sibayan expressed their gratitude to the government for its continuous support to the POs.
“Sa lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno, saludo po ako sa inyo dahil kapag lumalapit ang MALAYA, hindi kami napapahiya. (To all government agencies, I salute you because every time MALAYA approaches you, we are never put to shame),” she said.
As part of the program, members of the POs signed a statement of unity of the farmers, where they strongly condemned the entry of groups with illegal and malicious intent toward the farmers of Hacienda Luisita.
By strengthening the ties of POs, government agencies, and other stakeholders, the Serbisyo Caravan forms a collective movement toward peace, resilience, and development for the farmers and residents of Hacienda Luisita. (CLJD/AJRR, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)