NAGA CITY (PIA)—Over 16 participating government agencies and partners, including the Sorsogon Provincial Veterinary Office, will take part in the upcoming Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Bicol pre-SONA caravan at the spacious Sorsogon Capitol grounds, 8:30 a.m., on June 5, Monday.

Sorsogon Governor Jose Edwin B. Hamor explicitly requested the participating agencies to give beneficiaries substantial services and goods and underscored the significance of Sorsoganons to having a genuine opportunity to experience the tangible essence and concrete initiatives of the government.

In response, partner-attendees of the Serbisyo Caravan will offer a wide range of services to the community and marginalized sector ranging from medical and health services like free check-ups, consultations, distribution of planting materials, career opportunities,  upgrading of records, diskwento caravan and mini-kadiwa, among others. 

Confirmed partners include the regional and Sorsogon provincial agencies of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Population Commission (PopCom), Sorsogon Provincial Office in partnership with the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with its attached bureau, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) will also cater to their beneficiaries.

Other participating agencies include the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), PhilHealth, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Army (PA), Technical Education and Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Pre-SONA Serbisyo Caravan venue II  Sorsogon Capitol Grounds

Diverse array of services

The Sorsogon Provincial Government will install 3x3 tents for participating agencies where they will accommodate their target beneficiaries and walk-in clients.

DTI will have their Diskwento Caravan at the site, in partnership with LCC. They will also offer registration services for Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE), Intellectual Property (IP), and Business Name; LTO will give orientation seminar to pre-identified drivers and will accommodate those who want to sign-up for theoretical driving; while PopCom will give away 100 condoms and pills to takers, counseling on family planning, use of injectables and inquiries on other PopCom services. They will also distribute flyers on responsible parenthood.

BFAR personnel will conduct registration and issuance of local transport permits for fisher folks who would be transporting fishery products outside of the province. Owners of seafaring vessels can take this opportunity to get an issuance of a certificate of clearance for commercial fishing vessels through the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council. 

Under their Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), DSWD will display vinegar and sardines products in their tent. They will also assist pre-determined medical and burial assistance claimants, pre-assessment and referral for SLP livelihood application, and release of livelihood seed capital fund.  DSWD personnel also have services for walk-in clients as they will put up Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) and Adoption process desk, pre-assessment and referral for SLP livelihood application desk, and Pantawid Program Grievance desk.

DA will display agri-products for sale and will have their mini- kadiwa in partnership with 50 farmers. They will also distribute 500 Pili seedlings, 100 Calamansi planting materials and will conduct Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA). 

DA Public Information Officer Lovella Guarin that RSBSA (Rural Sectoral-Based Registry System for Agriculture) “serves as a database of individuals engaged in farming, fishing, and agricultural labor. It functions as a means of pinpointing qualified recipients for various government programs and services related to agriculture.”

DENR will distribute seedlings and has partnered with various People’s Organizations (Pos) to sell their local produce. They will display and sell bottled sardines, products from Bulan & Puerto Diaz, and stuffed butandings as souvenir items up for the taking.  DENR will also conduct chain saw registration.  June 5 also coincides with the celebration of World Environment Day. EMB on the other hand will release Pollution control accreditation to 16 recipients.

DOLE will conduct orientation and will distribute PPEs to 150 TUPAD beneficiaries. For those looking for a job, they will also have pre-registration of job applicants for their upcoming Kalayaan Jobs Fair.  They will also assist clients who intend to avail of DOLE’s TUPAD program.

TESDA will take charge of overseeing the allocation of welding equipment tool kits as part of their Special Training for Employment Program (STEP), which focuses on providing training in Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC 1. TESDA will also handle the recruitment of students for their Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) and offer support to individuals with questions regarding scholarships. TESDA personnel will provide assistance for those who have scholarship inquiries.

The Philippine Army is providing tents for walk-in clients who are interested in availing themselves of free haircuts and massages. Additionally, they will organize medical, dental, and legal services for those in need.

For individuals who wish to request civil registry documents like Birth Certificates not yet registered, PSA will assist them under their Birth Registration Assistance Project BRAP.  PSA will also conduct the registration of national ID and printing of ePhil ID. 

NTC will be available to offer assistance to individuals who have not yet registered their SIM cards. They will provide support and guidance to ensure that the registration process is completed successfully.

PhilHealth will assist members of the Philippine Army who wants to avail of their Konsulta program and will assist 4Ps beneficiaries of DSWD in updating their records.

DOH has also identified at least 100 boys for Operation Tuli.  There will also be medical consultation, Covid-19 vaccination, and other health services.

Individuals who have difficulty in registering, verifying, and securing their social security numbers will be assisted by SSS personnel. They will be distributing forms and pamphlets regarding the schedule of contributions and different benefits, among others.

The DICT will be responsible for the installation of Wi-Fi and routers in the area to ensure that offices or agencies that require internet connectivity to efficiently provide their services will be able to assist their clients  

Governor Hamor together with the = members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, PIA Directorate, and PIA Regional Officials, will lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open the Serbisyo Caravan.

The Sorsogon Provincial Veterinary Office will offer their services to the residents of Sorsogon, specifically addressing concerns related to pets. They will provide assistance and support to individuals seeking guidance or help regarding their pets' welfare.

The Serbisyo Caravan is one of PIA’s best initiatives, which aims to bring essential government services directly to the grassroots community through collaboration with various government agencies, private partners, and other stakeholders. (PIA 5/ Camarines Sur)