Cadlan, Pili, Camarines Sur – More or less 22 national and regional government agencies joined the Integrated Sustainable Assistance Recovery and Advancement Program (ISARAP) held on April 23, Saturday at the Provincial Capitol Convention Center, here.
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 137 or “Accelerating and Harmonizing Aid and Humanitarian Operations of the national government during disasters and emergencies, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issued a directive to all government agencies to bring their services closer to the people, especially to those who were greatly affected by the COVID pandemic.
Dubbed ISARAP “Convergence Day,” the event was attended by more than 1,000 stakeholders from different parts of Camarines Sur.
The event, headed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is the government’s way of informing the public regarding its programs, policies, accomplishments, and the implementation of the continuing projects and programs of the administration.
DSWD Regional Director Leo L. Quintilla said that the ISARAP is a “comeback” of the then Serbisyo Caravan, which was put on hold due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
“We are very happy na nagkaroon na ng face to face activity. At the same time, this is also an opportunity to again demonstrate the different programs and services of the government. Dito sa Bicol, yong lead agency is the DSWD. Nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng mga agencies na nag contribute ng kanilang mga programs and services sa kanilang mga beneficiaries, “ Quintilla said in an interview.
Liway Balondo, a 35 year-old mother of 4 from Caranan, Pasacao, Camarines Sur and also a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) member is one of the many recipients of the DSWD’s 4Ps assistance and social pension.
“Nakakuha po ako ng isang box ng mga pagkain mula sa DSWD at P3,000.00. Malaking tulong po ito at gagamitin namin sa pambili ng vitamins, bigas at iba pang pangangailangan sa bahay, (I received one (1) box of goodies and Php3,000.00. This is a big help for us. I am going to use this to buy vitamins, rice and other necessities at home),” Balondo said.
DTI Bicol Regional Director Dindo Nabol said that the ISARAP is also the Duterte’s administration’s way of informing the people that despite the political season, the delivery of the services and programs of the government shall remain unhampered.
“These programs are for the people and consist of livelihood opportunities, especially for those affected by the calamities and the lingering COVID pandemic. They are the target beneficiaries of today’s activity,” Nabol added.
(Source: PIA5 – Camarines Sur)