BACOLOD City – A total of 1,132 residents in the far-flung villages of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental availed of government services during a caravan led by Mayor Ella Celestina Yulo-Garcia on Feb. 18.
“The government is looking for ways to bring services to the people, especially (those in) the upland barangays,” the mayor said on Feb. 19.
The delivery of assistance from various government agencies was in line with the implementation of the Retooled Community Support Program that aims to sustain the whole-of-nation approach in addressing the local communist armed conflict.
Accompanied by Vice Mayor Adrian Villaflor, she told her constituents that progress can be achieved only when there is peace.
Some of the beneficiaries were able to enroll as members of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., register as voters with the Commission on Elections, avail birth and marriage certificate through registration and join the agriculture and agrarian reform consultation.
Other residents obtained certificates of ownership for large animals and also brought them for immunization and vitamin supply.
Seedlings of fruit-bearing trees and vegetable seeds were also distributed. Several young boys underwent circumcision while youths and adults alike got free massage and haircut services.
Personnel of the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Fire Protection were among those who provided assistance.
The Office of 5th District Representative Marilou Arroyo and District Board Member Rita Gatuslao also supported the services caravan together with the Provincial Health Office and concerned government agencies, such as the Comelec, PhilHealth, and the departments of health, agrarian reform, and interior.
In 2019, the municipality caught nationwide attention when it was placed by the Commission on Elections under its control, following an election-related incident that claimed the lives of the mayor’s younger brother and nephew.
Days before the May 13 elections, President Rodrigo Duterte himself visited the town to preside over a security meeting and bring the violence to a stop.(With a report from PNA/PN)
