CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — About 700 Kapampangans benefitted from the services provided by national government agencies during the Duterte Legacy Caravan held in barangay Parian, Mexico town.
The event, led by the Philippine National Police, aims to inform the public on the landmark programs of the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte through convergence in the distribution of assistance to the Filipino people.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Myrvi Apostol-Fabia said the caravan is special since it coincides with the observance of Labor Day.
She stressed that the Duterte Legacy Caravan is meant to extend to the people the services provided by the government as a way to let the people know that they are within reach and that the national government loves them.
“This is one way for the government to communicate unique programs and services performed under the Duterte administration. Among these is the free education for those who want to study from high school to college. We also now have the national coverage of Philhealth [Philippine Health Insurance Corporation] so that no Filipino will not be able to get free medical treatment in government hospitals as long as they get a free PhilHealth ID,” the director said.
Fabia also mentioned about the financial assistance to former rebels in order to aid them in their livelihood to mainstream them back in the society.
“We have begun the change in the Duterte administration. Let’s continue these changes beyond his term. I call on everyone to do their share towards solidarity, peace, and unity to ensure a clean and peaceful elections. Let us not allow chaos, and let us show that Kapampangans are peace-lovers,” she said.
For his part, Acting Police Provincial Director PCol. Alvin Consolacion highlighted the need for the people to support the government in order to attain lasting peace and development.
“Fighting the government will not bring good. The government agencies are doing their best to bring their services closer to the people. I hope you appreciate our efforts of making your life easier by providing what you really need,” he said.
Meanwhile, in behalf of the host municipality, Mexico Municipal Information Officer Dax Nathaniel Bondoc urged the people to grab the opportunity of availing the free services being offered by the different government agencies.
“It is not enough that you just avail those services, but you share the love being shared to you. Duterte legacy is letting you feel that you are loved. We want you to feel that the government is there, that we are doing everything for you. May we enjoy this day, and may you be our partners towards development in order to make our nation a great one,” Bondoc said.
For his part, Ka Sonny Serrano, a former rebel from Porac town, said the Duterte administration has helped the indigenous peoples in their community study from elementary to college.
“Since then, we saw the government’s compassion and realized that there is no point in criticizing the government. We just hope that while the government is trying its best to provide us [Aeta communities] with free education, this and other assistances like provision of livelihood will continue for our next generations to further strengthen the cooperation between us and the government,” he said.
Different services offered during the caravan include free birth, marriage, and death certificate registration by the Municipal Civil Registry; free solo parent, PWD, and senior citizens ID from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office; free blood sugar testing, free blood pressure, free consultation and medicines from the Rural Health Unit; jobs fair from the Public Employment Service Office; and free counseling from the Municipal Legal Office.
Department of Agriculture also provided free seedlings and anti-rabies vaccination for cats and dogs; free contraceptives from the Commission on Population and Development; free scheduling of siphoning of septic tanks from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office; free haircut and free face mask from the Bureau of Fire Protection; and free police clearance and case consultation from the Philippine National Police.
The activity, with the theme ‘Pagkakaisa ng Mamamayan at Pamahalaan tungo sa Pagbangon, Kapayapaan, at Kaunalaran’, is held simultaneously in all provinces nationwide.