DSWD 11 all-out support to Serbisyo Caravan nets P68-M

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=828607
• Wednesday, November 18, 2015

By Carmela C. Duron [(PNA), CTB/LCM/CCD/LDP]

DAVAO CITY, Nov. 18 (PNA) --The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here has reported a net amount of Php 68 million-worth of services and programs as its gesture of full support to the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies (ARENA) Region 11 Serbisyo Caravan for the past six years.

Among the Department’s programs are Sustainable Livelihood, Pantawid Pamilya, Kalahi-CIDSS, Social Pension and Supplementary Feeding, DSWD Regional Director Prisclla Razon said.

Being one of the prime movers of ARENA XI, DSWD has extensively provided vital programs and services to the various communities where Serbisyo Caravan has been.

Organized and spearheaded by ARENA XI or Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Region XI, the Serbisyo Caravan delivers frontline government services in depressed communities in South Eastern Mindanao.

Composed of heads and assistant heads of over 50 regional offices of national government agencies based in Davao City, ARENA XI likewise spearheads the inter-agency quarterly flag raising ceremony at People’s Park, conduct of quarterly lecture series, and annual sports festival.

”During the two-day caravan, we always ensured that children enrolled in day care centers in the community are provided with nutritious hot meals. Together with barangay health workers, DSWD workers facilitate the on-site feeding and nutrition-education to both children and parents,” Razon said.

Also, groundbreaking rites for Kalahi-CIDSS sub-projects were conducted as well as payout of Cash For Work and subsidy to grantees of Pantawid Pamilya both for regular and MCCT-IP, she added.

In the latest two caravans in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte and Compostela town, Compostela Valley, implemented sub-projects under Kalahi-CIDSS include corn sheller, solar dryer, drainage line canal, low-cost solar LED home lighting system, tire path, community activity center, double-barrel box culvert, 3-classroom high school building, 2-classroom elementary school building, potable water system, and a multi-purpose building.

Meanwhile, Razon said livelihood trainings on Cultural Bead-Accessory Production, Indigenous Basket Production, Native Goat Dispersal, Organic Ginger Production, Cultural Management on Sustainable Vegetable Production, and Organic-Based Lowland/Upland Vegetable Production were launched during the caravan in Talaingod, Davao Del Norte.

Further, DSWD workers set up several stations for the most awaited distribution of family food packs to disadvantaged families. To date, DSWD has allotted 21,000 family food packs.

DSWD also handed over assorted educational supplies, raincoats and school bags, and more than 100 assistive devices such as wheelchairs, crutches, quad canes and walkers to persons with disability.

In a span of six years, Razon said Serbisyo Caravan has reached out to as far as the municipalities of Boston, Cateel, Governor Generoso and Mati City in Davao Oriental; Don Marcelino and Sarangani in Davao Occidental; Digos City and Sta. Cruz in Davao Del Sur; Kapalong and Talaingod in Davao del Norte; Paquibato District in Davao City; and Maco, Nabunturan and Compostela in Compostela Valley province.

On its 16th leg, she said the Serbisyo Caravan has leveled up and became a whole nation initiative dubbed National Serbisyo Caravan with participation of the Cabinet Cluster for Peace Security and Justice led by Undersecretary Emmanuel Bautista. And no less than DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano Soliman headed the turnover of programs and services in Barangay Sto. Niňo, Talaingod, Davao Del Norte last June.

Member agencies of ARENA XI will continue to converge, convoy and convey their premium services for as long as there are people who are determined on improving their lives by rigorously participating in government initiatives.