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Gov’t services caravan benefits Aurora town

By Jason De Asis

January 24, 2020, 8:50 pm

<p><strong>GOV'T SERVICES CARAVAN.</strong> Residents in Dianawan village, Maria Aurora town in Aurora province avail of free haircut as part of the "Pulong-Pulong and Serbisyo" caravan on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. The activity is part of the implementation of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) that aims to bring basic government services close to the people. <em>(Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army's 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion)</em></p>

GOV'T SERVICES CARAVAN. Residents in Dianawan village, Maria Aurora town in Aurora province avail of free haircut as part of the "Pulong-Pulong and Serbisyo" caravan on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. The activity is part of the implementation of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) that aims to bring basic government services close to the people. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Army's 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion)

BALER, Aurora -- Hundreds of residents in Barangay Dianawan, Maria Aurora town in the province benefitted from the grand “Pulong-Pulong and Serbisyo” caravan of government services on Thursday.

The activity was facilitated by the 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion (91IB) of the Philippine Army through its Community Support Program.

The giving of services that included free haircut, medical, and dental services as well as tree planting and “pulong-pulong” (meeting) is part of the implementation of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC).

The PTF-ELCAC aims to bring the basic services offered by different government agencies including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and local government unit (LGU) of the municipality of Maria Aurora closer to the people.

“It was also part of the 'whole of nation approach' of President Rodrigo Duterte’s initiative in bringing various services to the grassroots, especially in the far-flung areas,” said Lt. Col. Reandrew Rubio, 91IB acting commanding officer.

The caravan started with a tree-planting activity in Barangay Dianawan at around 6 a.m. This was followed by the grand pulong-pulong and rendering of various services of the different government agencies to address the identified issues and concerns in the community.

Afterward, a flag of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) was burned as the residents' way of showing their support and commitment to the PTF ELCAC, denouncing the atrocities of the communist rebels.

Rubio thanked those that contributed to the success of the caravan.

“I thank the stakeholders and soldiers in their efforts in serving the far-flung barangays,” he said, pointing out the importance of unity in ending local communist armed conflict.

Rubio assured that the 91IB, in partnership with LGUs and other stakeholders, will continue to implement the Serbisyo Caravan to effectively address the issues exploited by the rebel groups.

Maria Aurora Mayor Amado Geneta, meanwhile, thanked the Army unit and the participating agencies for the delivery of basic services to his constituents.

He also assured his commitment to help in the implementation of ELCAC programs and services.

DILG local government operations officer Ariel Espinosa said the village of Dianawan is a pilot test barangay for Executive Order No. 70 Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP).

The RCSP targets 30 barangays in the province this year. (PNA)

 

 

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