On May 10, 2024, Barangay Zion, Maitum, Sarangani Province,together with the PTF- ELCAC of Sarangani and MTF-ELCAC of Maitum, in collaboration with the Regional Task Force (RTF), held the Serbisyo Caravan Para Sa Sarangan and Dumanon Kailian initiatives.
Approximately 400 households in Barangay Zion received social welfare, health care, and educational assistance. Among rendered services were comprised of feeding programs, free circumcision and haircut, tooth extraction, medical check-ups with prescribed medicines, reading eyeglasses distribution, and slippers, among others.
Local Government Units (LGUs) and various government agencies worked together to organize the event and provide services to the community.
Local officials graced the activity which include Sarangani Vice Governor Elmer T. De Peralta, Sanggunian Board Members Arnold R. Abequibel,Rosemarie M. Sayo, Jess C. Bascuña, and Joseph M. Calanao; Maitum Mayor Alexander Bryan B. Reganit, and Vice Mayor Tito Balazon. DILG Sarangani Provincial Director Engr. Samuel A. Camaganacan and MLGOO Rodolfo H. Jerez also attended the activity.
In his message, Provincial Director Camaganacan expressed his deepest gratitude and acknowledged the proactive involvement of all participating agencies, especially the local government units of Sarangani Province and Municipality of Maitum in the End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Program.
He underlined that the Serbisyo Caravan is a part of the ELCAC program, in which government agencies provide assistance and interventions to the ELCAC target barangays, including Brgy. Zion, will be prioritized above other barangays.
He further stressed that through the government’s effort to bridge the gap between the government and the communities, the fight against the Community Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) will come to an end.
“Alam natin na tayo ay Pilipino kung kaya’t tayo ay dapat na magkaisa at huwag na mag- aaway-away”, Engr. Camaganacan said during his message.
Among the key service providers during the caravan were the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Mahintana Foundation, Inc. (MFI), Save the Children, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), LGU local officials and offices.
Alongside were the Philippine National Police (PNP), the 38th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) who actively engaged and ensured the peace and security of the caravan.
