Iloilo city: Officials of select national government agencies gathered in one venue here Saturday to deliver programs and services, marking the 68th birthday of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Education Undersecretary Peter Irving Corvera said President Marcos always reminds officials that government presence should be felt by the people. "The opportunity to serve is a privilege," he said during the program for the caravan of services under the "Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat para sa Lahat" at the provincial capitol lobby.
According to Philippines News Agency, the caravan of government services was being held across all provinces in the country. Interior and Local Government Regional Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero said the caravan reflects the administration's steadfast commitment to deliver genuine and meaningful public service. "It is a people-centered governance initiative led by President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr. and it is designed to ensure government assistance, programs and opportunities reach communities directly, especially those who need them the most," he said in his message.
Leading the services provided was the "Benteng Bigas Meron Na!" where 1,400 bags of rice containing 50 kilos per bag at PHP20 per kilo were allocated regionwide, targeting 7,000 recipients from the marginalized sector. One of the recipients was a former overseas Filipino worker and now a full-time housewife, 32-year-old Melanie Abello from Barangay Benedicto in this city. She said the program is a big help because 50 kilos can already last them two weeks or more.
The Department of Education (DepEd) turned over 100 "EduKahon" recovery kits, aimed at ensuring the continuity of learning during calamities when there is disruption of classes. "For the learners who will undergo the remediation program, they will be receiving the kahon (box). The kahon contains reading and other remediation materials," DepEd Western Visayas Director Cristito Eco said.
Meanwhile, Labor and Employment-Iloilo Director Joselito Dela Banda announced that their job fair made available 1,432 local vacancies. Salaries for workers under the emergency employment program were also released. Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director for Western Visayas Toni June Tamayo led the ceremonial turnover of toolkits and training support funds to their scholars.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources provided free seedlings of fruit-bearing trees. The Department of Health (DOH) - Western Visayas Center for Health Development, led by Regional Director Annabelle Yumang, turned over maternal kits and offered free screening for non-communicable diseases, geriatric and human immunodeficiency virus, medical consultation, and free medicines.
The three DOH-run hospitals -- Western Visayas Medical Center, Western Visayas Sanitarium General Hospital and Jose Monfort Medical Center -- opened their outpatient departments, which are normally closed during Saturdays and holidays, Yumang said. It was also announced that the 13 hospitals run by the Iloilo provincial government implemented zero balance billing for patients discharged on Saturday.
The Department of Agriculture, led by Western Visayas Executive Director Dennis Arpia, turned over a four-wheel tractor with implements to a farmers' association from Igbaras town, 50 bags of corn seeds for farmers in Miagao, fertilizer stubs to 14 local government units and cooperatives, fuel subsidy for 87 farmer-beneficiaries, and indemnity checks for 192 farmers and fisherfolk amounting to PHP798,189.
Department of Trade and Industry Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Ma. Dinda Tamayo released the loan award to two micro, small and medium enterprises, approved by the Small Business (SB) Corp. "We would like to announce that this August, the SB Corp. approved 22 loan applications amounting to PHP5.3 million for Iloilo alone. This week, 14 enterprises will have their releases," she said.
