BUTUAN CITY -- The provincial launching of the Duterte Legacy Barangayanihan Caravan has amassed support from the local government unit of Butuan, remarking it as the national government's way of looking out for the people in Mindanao.

The Duterte Legacy Barangayanihan Caravan is part of the Duterte Legacy Campaign spearheaded by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), which aims to report to the people the achievements of the Duterte administration from the beginning of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's presidency and his plans for the remainder of his term. 

Hosted with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Barangayanihan Caravan, in particular, aims to provide Filipinos not only access to the said information but also to basic social services, which are hardly accessed by residents in far-flung areas, of which most are susceptible to insurgency. 

Brgy. Bit-os, a village located in the outskirts of the city and a target of known communist-terrorist groups (CTGs), served as the host for the said caravan. On the caravan's launching on October 14, 2021, some 100 residents in the village and even from neighboring villages flocked the barangay covered court to avail the services of various government agencies such as free medical and dental check-up, scholarships for technical and vocational courses and livelihood programs, legal advice and consultation as well as free food packs, medicines, vegetable seedlings, and even lumber for toilet construction for households with no toilets.

Residents were also able to register for certain legal documents such as birth certificate, voter registration, and driver's license as well as avail PhilHealth membership.

Through a representative, Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada thanked the national government and the participating government agencies for launching the event. 

"We would like to congratulate all our government agencies, partners, and stakeholders for this feat [which is] a well-meaning advocacy of reaching out," said the mayor through city coucilor Ernest Sanchez who represented him during the event. 

"The launching of the Duterte Legacy Caravan here in our city is indicative of how Malacañang is mindful of Butuan City and the rest of Mindanao. We convey our deep appreciation for the support and the assistance that we have enjoyed under this administration," he added. 

Punong barangay Elsa Mordeno was truly grateful for the opportunity given to the village to participate in the said caravan. 

"Through the caravan, social services of the government were brought closer to us and I am truly thankful for that. We will not waste this opportunity," she said. 

City director of the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) PCol. Exelso Lazaga, Jr. remarked of the caravan as a testament of the government's goal of enjoining community members. 

"This caravan should serve as a pillar of solidarity and resilience and as reaffirmation for our pride as Butuanon," said the police official. 

"May this event engender a more fervent brand of patriotism and collective pride as we extend services today while conveying messages of inspiration to our fellow Butuanons," he added. 

PCol. Lazaga also hoped that the event had encouraged public servants to continue serving the people. 

"I hope that our stories of success will not end here. May the testimonies of our recipients today further encourage us to persevere and be diligent for a better future," he said. (DMNR/PIA-Caraga)