SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) – In pursuit of eliminating armed conflict in Brgy. Malpalon, Calintaan, a Serbisyo Caravan was conducted by the Municipal and Provincial Task Force – End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) as a concluding program for the Withdrawal of Support activity in the community.
Free medical services were extended to the barangay, such as consultation, laboratory examinations, and circumcision led by the Municipal Health Office (MHO) and the Medical Mission Group Health Service Cooperative (MOMMGHSC).
Jojit Sabado, a resident from Brgy. Malpalon shared that the services extended to their community through the Service Caravan, such as medical and health care, helped address their needs as their area is geographically isolated.
"Ang ginawang serbisyo caravan ay nagdulot ng positibong epekto sa aming komunidad. Pinatunayan din nito na ang pamahalaan at ang iba't ibang sektor ay handa na suportahan at tulungan kami sa pagharap sa mga hamong kinakaharap ng aming komunidad" (The Serbisyo Caravan brought positive effect to our community. It proved that the government and other sects are ready to support and help us in facing the challenges in our community), Sabado added.
Monetary assistance under the Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (DSWD-AICS) Program, totaling P995,000 was granted to 199 beneficiaries belonging to the Mangyan Indigenous Peoples (IPs). Each beneficiary received P5,000 to augment their emergency needs such as burial, medical, or educational purposes.
The payout was spearheaded by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO). With the assistance of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the PSWDO also distributed food packs to the residents in the community.
The Calintaan Municipal Police Station (MPS), 1st Police Mobile Force Company (PMFC), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines 68th Infantry Battalion (IB) offered free haircut for men, while the TESDA Provincial Office awarded Driving Certificates to 40 Mangyan IPs who took free Theoretical Driving Training under the office’s program.
According to Cpt. Ersel Filipinas of 68th IB, the Serbisyo Caravan became more meaningful when paired with the Withdrawal of Support activity as it highlights the caravan’s purpose.
“Yun talaga ang purpose niya, ‘tong ELCAC. Maidala natin sa community ang mga serbisyo na malimit ginagamit din na propaganda ng kabila (New People’s Army). Kasi sinasabi ng kabila sa mga tao, “kami ang inyong gobyerno,” pero ginagawa ito ng TF-ELCAC para malaman nila na tayo ang government,” Filipinas said.
A Withdrawal of Support, involving the 22 individuals who severed their connection to the NPA, was recently conducted in the barangay before the Serbisyo Caravan.
The activity also underscores the community’s show of support to the government and condemnation of NPA’s actions by pledging not to offer support of any kind to the group.
“Maganda ang feedback ng mga agencies na nagpunta… may mga testimonies na galing sa mga residente. Sila mismo ang makakapagsabi kung anong ipapaabot nila sa government agencies. Mas nagkaroon ng meaning ‘yung serbisyo caravan,” Filipinas added.
The Provincial and Municipal Task Force–ELCAC is currently working on conducting a Serbisyo Caravan in Brgy. Ligaya, Sablayan as part of the government’s initiatives to end insurgencies in the province. (DSG/PIA Mimaropa-OccMin)