Panaon IP community gets basic services from government

The Misamis Occidental Police Provincial Office (MOPPO) reached out to one insurgency affected barangays in Misamis Occidental through the Community Outreach Program in Barangay San Juan, Panaon town, March 25, 2022. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)

More than 300 residents who are mostly Indigenous Peoples (IP) in San Juan, Panaon, Misamis Occidental were able to avail basic services from the government through an outreach program led by the Misamis Occidental Police Provincial Office (MOPPO) together with the 10th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army and stakeholders.

Services offered during the said activity were medical and dental check up, free eye check-up and reading glasses, mobile library, Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) livelihood program, Alis Kuto campaign, distribution of food packs and snacks, three wheelchairs, mosquito net, fish, clothes, key chain, free photoshoot and 2x2 ID picture and printing, free slippers, ice cream, circumcision and haircut.

Police Regional Office-10 Regional Director PBGen Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. joined the activity as part of the Duterte Legacy to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).

“Ang programang ito ay bahagi pa rin ng mandato ng ating Presidente Rodrigo Roa Duterte, ang Duterte Legacy, at ang Community Outreach program na maghatid ng serbisyo sa ibat-ibang sulok ng ating pamayanan. Layunin din nito na inyong madama ang presensiya tulong at malasakit sa gobyerno kahit sa simpleng pamamaraan,” he shared.

(This program is still part of the mandate of our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the Duterte Legacy, and the Community Outreach program to deliver services to various corners of our community. It also aims for people to feel the presence of the government through showing its help and concern even in the simplest way)

Acorda also said their visit aims to assure the people of their safety.

"Kami ay umaasa din na patuloy ang inyong suporta sa ating gobyerno at sa kapulisan upang ating maiwasan at matuldokan ang mga problema dulot ng illegal na druga, criminalidad, terrorismo, insurhensya at lalong lalo na ang karapatang pantao,” Acorda emphasized.

(We also hope that you will continue to support our government and the police so that we can prevent and end the problems caused by illegal drugs, crime, terrorism, insurgency and especially human rights)

In his message, 10th Infantry Battalion (PA) Commanding Officer of Charlie Company 1st Lieutenant Rufino Velasco said that the Philippine Army is always willing to support various government public services.

“Napakaganda ng programa ng ating gobyerno ngayon dahil meron tayong Barangayanihan, Duterte Legacy, at ELCAC dito sa liblib na mga barangay o Geographically Isolated and Disadvantageous Area (GIDA). Lahat ng ito ay ginagawa ng gobyerno upang iparamdam sa inyo na seryoso ang gobyerno sa programa na masugpo ang problema natin sa insurhensiya,” he said.

(Our government programs today are very good because we have Barangayanihan, Duterte Legacy, and ELCAC here in remote barangays or Geographically Isolated and Disadvantageous Area (GIDA). The government is doing all this to let you know that the government is serious about the program to curb our insurgency problem)

The Misamis Occidental Police Provincial Office (MOPPO) reached out to one insurgency affected barangays in Misamis Occidental through the Community Outreach Program in Barangay San Juan, Panaon town, March 25, 2022. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)

For his part, TESDA Provincial Director John D. Simborios shared they will give trainings and scholarships to help residents improve their livelihood.

“Naa ang TESDA para mapakita sa inyoha nga ang gobyerno makaabot jud sa pinakalayo ug pinaka-tumoy nga mga barangay. Naa mi karon sa inyong atubangan, naa karon ang serbisyo sa gobyerno nga gihatag sa inyoha,” he added.

(TESDA is here to show you that the government can reach the farthest and most remote barangays. We are now in front of you, the government is here to help and provide you the services)

Meanwhile, National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) Provincial Legal Officer Lawyer Philippe Emile Santiago tackled the importance of empowering the IPs in countering insurgency and the efforts taken by the national government to ELCAC.

"Isa ni kapaaagi kining activity para maipakita sa katawhan nato dinhi nga involved ang gobyerno dili lang ka’y sa paghatag sa mga saad sa gobyerno kundili sa uban nga mga kinahanglanon sa mga kaigsuonan nato dinhi sa barangay, “he said.

(This activity is a way to show our people here that the government is involved not only in delivering the promises of the government but also in the other needs of our brothers and sisters here in the barangay) (Shaine Mae R. Nagtalon/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)