ARENA-XI brings gov’t services to IPs in Kapalong

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Dec. 1 (PIA) – The national government agencies in the region directly brought a multitude of services and programs to the indigenous people in Brgy. Gupitan, Kapalong, this province.

Thousands of IPs of the Ata-Manobo tribe in said barangay and from its neighboring sitios flocked Sunday’s one-stop shop of services dubbed as “Serbisyo Caravan” spearheaded by the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Region XI (ARENA XI).

Engr. Mariano Alquiza, ARENA XI president and regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), said that more than 20 national government agencies offered their services in the caravan.

“We bring the government closer to the people and this is the aim of our caravan,” Alquiza said in local dialect.

Among the highlights of the caravan was the giving out of 20,000 tilapia fingerlings from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and of indigenous specie seedlings from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed 4,500 food packs to the residents and some crutches to qualified persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The Department of Agriculture provided high valued seedlings, pet’s nutritional supplement, and anti-rabies vaccines, while the municipal government of Kapalong distributed sports supplies to selected recipients.

Medical and dental services have also been provided during the Serbisyo Caravan, a flagship program of ARENA-XI which started in 2011.

Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario and 10th Infantry Division commanding officer Major General Eduardo Año graced the caravan.

Del Rosario said that the IPs in Kapalong were so very fortunate to have been chosen by the ARENA-XI as recipients of the caravan services.

“I was also happy that I visited again this place after quite some time now, to talk to you personally and to deliver our services,” he said.

The governor also led the launching of the P225 million Patel Bridge which will connect sitios Patel and Kapatagan, both part of Brgy. Gupitan.

Meanwhile, the tribal leaders in the area were given the chance to air their concerns to the governor, regional directors, and provincial department heads.

Among the concerns raised include potable water system, improvement of roads, safety and security, agricultural equipment support, livelihood and lighting system.

Their concerns, which were stated in a resolution signed by the tribal leaders, were given to the concerned agencies for proper action.

On the concerns raised, Kapalong Mayor Edgardo Timbol declared that he will assign one tractor to be used for farming in Gupitan starting next year. (PIA-11/Michael Uy)