NCIP chairperson leads ‘Handog Ng Pangulo’ caravan in Surigao Sur
By Nida Grace P. Barcena
TANDAG CITY (PIA) — National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chairperson Marie Grace T. Pascua led the launching of the nationwide caravan of services dubbed ‘Handog Ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat’ on Saturday, September 13, at the Tandag City gymnasium.
Chairperson Pascua personally relayed the message of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., emphasizing the administration’s mission of bringing the government closer to the people through direct and accessible services.
“Bakit po ako nandito? Una sa lahat, gusto kong ipaabot ang taos-pusong pasasalamat ng ating mahal na Pangulo, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., at ng buong pamahalaan sa inyo. Lagi pong paalala ng Pangulo, ang gobyerno po ay dapat na maramdaman, sa bawat barangay, bawat komunidad, bawat pamilya,” Pascua said.
(Why am I here? First of all, let me extend the heartfelt gratitude of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and the entire government to all of you. The President always reminds us to ensure that the government is felt in every barangay, community and family).
She further emphasized that, “Ang paglilingkod ay isang pribilehiyo, at ito ang inspirasyon ng bawat lingkod bayan upang patuloy na magsikap, para sa kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino. (Service is a privilege, and this is also an inspiration to every public servant to continue to work hard and serve every Filipino).
The activity showed a strong unity and commitment to public service spearheaded by the Office of the President, in partnership with the provincial government of Surigao del Sur.
Governor Johnny T. Pimentel said, “Gidala nato ang gobyerno mahiduol dinhi sa atong mga katawhan. Atong suportahan ang atong gobyerno, kay kini ang makatabang sa atong mga panginahanglanon.”
(We have brought the government closer to our people. Let us support our government, because it is the one that can help meet our needs.)
The simultaneous caravan featured a wide range of services designed to meet the needs of different sectors of society such as the affordable and quality rice which was made available to the public with the distribution of P20 kilo of rice under the program on Benteng Bigas Meron Na and was quickly availed by local consumers.
Also, the Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center (ASTMMC), under the initiative on ‘Panlayag: A Community Health Voyage’ provided free medical consultation, dental check-up, physical rehabilitation, laboratory services, nutrition counseling, and distribution of essential medicines, prioritizing senior citizens and persons with special needs.
Assistive devices such as crutches, quad canes, and single canes were distributed at ASTMMC, reflecting the government’s dedication to empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs) and enhancing their mobility and independence.
On social services, two nonagenarians, Felisa A. Homedia and Felomina M. Mohinog, both 90 years old, each received P10,000 cash aid as recognition of the government’s continued support for senior citizens and vulnerable sectors.
Meanwhile, local cooperatives also benefited from livelihood assistance. Dick Almeda, of the Adlay Integrated Social Forestry Farmers Cooperative (ADISFFAMCO), shared their gratitude for the P1,013,650 grant from the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) program on livelihood assistance.
“Gikan sa kinailadman sa among kasing-kasing, nagpasalamat kami sa suporta sa amo mini grocery ug food house. Kini makatabang dili lamang sa among kooperatiba kundi sa tibuok komunidad (From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for supporting our mini grocery and food house. This will help not only our cooperative but also the whole community),” he said.
The caravan brought President Marcos Jr.’s birthday celebration down to the communities, highlighting a festive and meaningful note to the event. Local leaders, including provincial government heads, and representatives of national line agencies, joined the activity, reflecting a whole-of-government approach to service delivery.
Through the Handog Ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat,’ the government reaffirmed its promise of inclusive development, responsive governance, and people-centered programs, ensuring that no Surigaonon is left behind. (NGPB, PIA Surigao del Sur)
