Feature: A social worker’s priceless sacrifice
By Joana
Rica P. Millama
“I
scheduled a Family Development Session in Sitio Babangnan that day. We were on
our way when all of a sudden a massive wave struck our boat that it almost
sank. I wanted to scream because of fear, but I didn’t,” said Diane Abarico,
municipal link of Tubajon in the Province of Dinagat Islands, as she vividly
recalled her unforgettable experience five years ago.
She
was assigned in Imelda – a far-flung barangay composed of sitios with widely
challenging paths to cross. Some of these can only reached through a sea trip,
thus riding a pump boat is a necessity for most of the residents there,
especially for her. If she cannot travel by sea, she walks seven kilometers
from the town proper passing through a difficult road.
When
the incident which took place in late October 2013 comes to her mind, she still
experiences trauma.
“Ang
ako lang gayud nasulti ato kay ‘Ginoo ko! Gusto pa nako mabuhi! Tabangi mi!’
labi na kay daghan na nangambak, ang uban nanghilak (All I silently uttered was
‘God! I still want to live! Help us!’ especially that many already jumped; some
cried),” she shared through writing.
The
experience made her ponder on quitting the job, but it made her think of all
the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries in Sitio Babangnan, deprived of their basic
needs for a good and healthy life.
Being
a social worker awakened her enthusiasm to help the disadvantaged people
experiencing hardships.
“That
experience did not stop me in giving true service. In fact, it gave me more
courage and passion. That is my priceless sacrifice.”
Diane
is just one of the 602 field staff of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development in Caraga who compassionately serve the poor, vulnerable, and
disadvantaged sectors in the society. (Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office
Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
PNP Caraga vies for Best Regional Women, Children Protection Desk 2018
BUTUAN
CITY, July 5 - The Philippine National Police (PNP) Caraga has been chosen as
contender for the search for the Best Regional Women and Children Protection
Desk (RWCPD) 2018 nationwide, says PCSupt. Noli Romana, PNP Caraga regional
director.
A
team from the PNP National Headquarters headed by PSSupt. Sofronio Bumalay,
Chief of the Administrative Resource Management Division of WCPC (Women and
Children Protection Center) arrived July 4 to conduct validation.
Among
the parameters in the validation included the performance in administrative,
operations, and investigative as well as the notable accomplishments and awards
received by the RWCPD 13.
Winners
will be announced during the celebration of the 117th Police Service
Anniversary in Camp BGen. Rafael T. Crame, Quezon City next month.
The
RWCPD handles the investigation, rescue, counter-intelligence, surveillance,
maintain and update database on all women and children concerns, conduct
computer-based investigation and operations against trafficking in persons,
violence against women and children and other gender-based violence cases in
Caraga. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
