Google map of Monkayo town in Compostela Valley province.
DAVAO CITY — The government's multi-agency "Oplan Pagbabago, Tunol Serbisyo" program reached a far-flung and conflict-affected village in Monkayo town, Compostela Valley province Friday.
More than 500 beneficiaries in Barangay Rizal, an area that has seen hostilities between government forces and communist rebels, benefited from various government services and livelihood programs.
Monkayo, a first-class municipality, is famous for its Mt. Diwalwal gold-rush village but its border barangays have been known as flashpoints for New People's Army activities.
Residents availed of the fingerlings distributed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; consultation and support program for crop insurance by the Department of Agrarian Reform; turnover of various projects under the Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan program amounting to PHP300,000; and cash assistance from various Department of Social Welfare and Development programs).
The Department of Agriculture, meanwhile, turned over a rice harvester unit, while information dissemination and mobile registration was conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
An information education campaign for integrated pest management and master listing of farmers was also conducted by the Philippine Coconut Authority, while the Department of Science and Technology provided food products that the villagers can manufacture themselves.
On the other hand, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority conducted training profiling and free haircut services, while the Department of Education provides schools supplies for schoolchildren.
The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines also offered free slippers and haircut for children, as well as food items and medical and dental services.
Residents also availed of free legal consultations, notarization of documents, late registrations and other documents from the Provincial Attorney’s Office.
For its part, the Land Transportation Office conducted an information education campaign and student permit application while the Department of Labor and Employment conducted a registration program for rural workers' association and livelihood program orientation.
Residents were also provided fruit-bearing trees from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, while the Philippine Red Cross conducted an orientation on child protection policy for parents and group dynamics for children.
Private partners such as Sumiftu banana firm also conducted their own health and livelihood programs.
Compostela Valley province's "Oplan Pagbabago Tunol Serbisyo" program is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order 70, institutionalizing the "whole of nation approach" in delivering government services to isolated areas in the countryside. (PNA)
