President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led a government service caravan in Zamboanga City for indigenous peoples (IPs), dubbed Handog ng Pangulo: Tulong at Serbisyo Para sa IP Communities.
Marcos first visited the Sinunuc shoreline for the turnover of 10 boats with fishing accessories to the Maasin Fisherfolk Association, in line with his administration’s efforts to promote a more inclusive, people-centered, and development-oriented approach.
He then went to the Sinunuc Covered Court to monitor the delivery of government services to the IP community.
“Nandito lang naman po ako, ang sadya ko dito, para tignan na maayos ang pagbigay ng tulong sa ating tinatawag na mga unang Pilipino — ang ating mga IP community dito sa (I’m just here, and my purpose is to see to it that assistance is properly delivered to our so-called first Filipinos — our IP community here in) Sama-Bajau,” he told the IPs.
“Marami po tayong serbisyo na ibinibigay. Basta’t patuloy lang po at titiyakin namin, lalo na kagaya ng ating mga kababayan na medyo malayo ang tirahan, ay tinitiyak namin na kahit papaano, naabot lahat ng ating mga kababayan (We are providing many services. We will continue to ensure, especially for our fellow citizens who live in remote areas, that everyone receives assistance in some way),” Marcos added.
The caravan offered various services, including civil registry assistance and Philippine Identification System national ID registration, record updates and verification, business and livelihood support, medical and wellness services, labor and employment facilitation, and documentation services.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development-Zamboanga Peninsula also distributed PHP10,000 each to 500 eligible beneficiaries through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation; grocery packs worth PHP3,000 each to 71 families enrolled in the Walang Gutom (Zero Hunger) Program; family food packs for 500 households; and Sustainable Livelihood Program grants to 100 recipients.
Marcos stressed the importance of securing government-issued IDs, including the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) ID, to enable access to basic services such as free medical consultations.
He also encouraged the IP community to download the eGov app to check all available government services.
“Huwag po kayong magdadalawang isip. Kung may kailangan kayo, kung may tanong kayo, magtanong kayo. Kaya po sila nandito — upang turuan kayo, upang ipaalam sa inyo ‘yung ating mga serbisyo. Kaya po kami nandito (Do not hesitate. If you need something or have questions, ask. They are here to teach you, to inform you of the services we offer. That’s why we are here),” Marcos said.
“Maraming nagti-thank you. Huwag na kayong mag-thank you. Ito ang trabaho namin. Ito lang talaga ang dapat naming ginagawa. Tuloy ito. Hindi namin ititigil. Hangga’t may buhay, itatrabaho namin ito (Many are saying ‘thank you.’ You don’t need to thank us. This is our job. This is really what we are meant to do. This will continue. We will not stop. As long as we are alive, we will keep working on this).”
Caravan of services
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who accompanied the President, said the department also offered services under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan – Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) and the Pag-abot Program.
The Department of Labor and Employment also brought its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program to the caravan.
Members of the Sama-Badjao, an indigenous community living in the coastal areas of Mindanao, particularly in Zamboanga City, were among the beneficiaries of the caravan.
Other government agencies that joined the caravan were the Philippine Statistics Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Health, and PhilHealth. (PNA)
