The 11th Kauswagan Caravan of the provincial government of Northern Samar brought government services in Brgy. Dapdap, Las Navas, clustered with barangays Tagab-iran, Tagan-ayan, Sag-od, Palanas, Rufino, Del Pilar, San Jose, San Isidro, and Epaw on July 15.

Some 2,168 families from these 10 villages of Las Navas have benefitted the Kauswagan Caravan aimed to bring basic needs to the indigents in remote areas.

The caravan served as a one-stop-shop of services for Nortehanons, especially those living in the far-flung areas, to avail of the different services from the provincial government along with national government agencies, non-government organizations, and other partners.

Among the services provided include PHILFIDA's distribution of flyers and orientation on abaca production, as well as training on how to grow the abaca planting materials per request of the interested barangays, and BFAR's distribution of tilapia fingerlings and provision of fishing materials.

The Department of Education and the Department of Social Welfare and Development conducted an information drive on their services and programs.

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, the lead agency of the Kauswagan Caravan, distributed family food packs, provided 150 pair of slippers, processing of financial assistance to qualified individuals/families, distribution of flyers on ECLIP and LSIP, information drive about programs for children, youth, women, family, senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted mobile registration for the Philippine National ID System and conducted pre-registration of birth and marriage.

More services

The University of Eastern Philippines provided 1,000 assorted hard wood seedlings, 2,000 organic face mass, 500 pair of slippers, 500 healthy bread for children, conducted orientation regarding scholarship program, and orientation and distribution of flyers on agriculture.   

The Northern Samar Provincial Police Office took charge of the security and orderliness during the event, distributed flyers on anti-criminality, and shared 100 family food packs.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted free hair cut and provided security to the participating agencies while the Bureau of Fire and Protection conducted fire safety campaign and distributed leaflets.  

The Department of Health conducted free medical check-up while the Provincial Health Office conducted free dental services. The Rural Health Unit of Las Navas assisted DOH and PHO in the free dental services and circumcision as well as in the COVID-19 vaccination.

The Department of Trade and Industry conducted information drive on their programs and services specifically on entrepreneurship, basic and prime commodities, and Price Control Act.

The Provincial Agriculture Office distributed assorted vegetable seeds and provided free garden tools to the farmers while the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office provided some garden tools.

The Provincial Veterinary Office distributed animal dewormers, vitamins and other veterinary supplies, and distributed chickens, poly net green and feeds.

Free legal consultation and services was conducted by the Provincial Legal Office while the Provincial Planning and Development Office distributed IEC materials particularly on children’s rights and protection.

Info, awareness drives, more legal, health services

Information drive on responsible parenthood, distribution of contraceptives, and screening of Iskolar ng Bayan were conducted by the Provincial Population Office.

The Provincial Cooperative and Community Affairs Office conducted information sharing about its program and services and provided technical assistance to people’s organization in said barangays.

The Department of Agrarian Reform provided legal agrarian services and free legal consultation.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office provided medicines for dental and circumcision, distributed medicines and multivitamins, and conducted information drive on their programs and services while the Philippine Red Cross also initiated free blood typing.

The Technical Education Skills and Development Authority conducted skills mapping for women.

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. distributed grocery items to selected poor families.

The Northern Samar Public Employment Office (NSPESO) conducted skills registry system, career coaching for Grade 10 (for mobilization of Junior High School Guidance of Dapdap National High School), and pre-employment orientation for Grade 12 students.

The Philippine Information Agency and the Provincial Information Office were in-charge of the media coverage and production of press releases.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation conducted free membership and distributed flyers and pamphlets of their programs and services.

The Provincial Development Investment Promotions Office offered skills and livelihood training assessment to individuals and group interested in the micro, small and medium enterprise.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conducted family disaster awareness orientation and basic first aid focus in band aiding.

The Northern Samar Electric Cooperative also conducted pre-membership program for household who have no electricity to their program “kuryente mo pautang ng Norsamelco.”

Gratefulness, with request for river control

Meanwhile, Las Navas Mayor Arlito Tan and the host barangay captain expressed appreciation and gratitude to the provincial government, and to the different national government agencies, for their services rendered and the unwavering support despite the difficulty of transportation through land and river channel to reach the remote barangay.

Barangay Dapdap Chairperson Jeroveb Gutaba in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency, said how he wished a river bank control be constructed soon to minimize flooding as the barangay is the catch basin of Pinipisakan Falls during rainy season.

He said 80% of the households suffered during flooding as most of their houses were submerged with water adding that “we need to evacuate them to the higher grounds, at the school buildings which is safer and much better.”

“I am appealing to the national and the provincial government to allocate funds for our evacuation center so that during rainy days we have permanent place to cater the evacuees,” said Gutaba.  

Brgy. Dapdap is accessible through a 45 minutes motorboat ride from the town proper and a motorcycle ride once access road will be constructed.

A tree planting activity to raise awareness to the community of the importance of planting and saving trees, expressing concern to the environment, and diminish the unfavorable effects of climate change formed part of the caravan.

The Kauswagan Caravan aimed to empower the poor, marginalized, and disadvantaged individuals and families, especially those from the geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas, through education and information. (MMP/TBC/PIA Northern Samar)