2023 Pre-SONA Caravan in Sorsogon to unveil government assistance, services

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

Over 16 participating government agencies and partners, including the Sorsogon Provincial Veterinary Office, will take part in the upcoming Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Bicol pre-SONA caravan at the spacious Sorsogon Capitol grounds, 8:30 a.m., on June 5, Monday.

Sorsogon Governor Jose Edwin B. Hamor explicitly requested the participating agencies to give beneficiaries substantial services and goods and underscored the significance of Sorsoganons to having a genuine opportunity to experience the tangible essence and concrete initiatives of the government.

In response, partner-attendees of the Serbisyo Caravan will offer a wide range of services to the community and marginalized sector ranging from medical and health services like free check-ups, consultations, distribution of planting materials, career opportunities, upgrading of records, diskwento caravan and mini-kadiwa, among others.

Confirmed partners include the regional and Sorsogon provincial agencies of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Population Commission (PopCom), Sorsogon Provincial Office in partnership with the Provincial Health Office (PHO), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with its attached bureau, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) will also cater to their beneficiaries.

SERIES OF COORDINATION MEETINGS II “Nagkaka1sang Pagbabago” The 2023 pre-SONA caravan, Province of Sorsogon (PIA 5)

Other participating agencies include the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), PhilHealth, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Army (PA), Technical Education and Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Diverse array of services

The Sorsogon Provincial Government will install 3x3 tents for participating agencies where they will accommodate their target beneficiaries and walk-in clients.

DTI will have their Diskwento Caravan at the site, in partnership with LCC. They will also offer registration services for Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE), Intellectual Property (IP), and Business Name; LTO will give orientation seminar to pre-identified drivers and will accommodate those who want to sign-up for theoretical driving; while PopCom will give away 100 condoms and pills to takers, counseling on family planning, use of injectables and inquiries on other PopCom services. They will also distribute flyers on responsible parenthood.

BFAR personnel will conduct registration and issuance of local transport permits for fisher folks who would be transporting fishery products outside of the province. Owners of seafaring vessels can take this opportunity to get an issuance of a certificate of clearance for commercial fishing vessels through the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council.

Under their Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), DSWD will display vinegar and sardines products in their tent. They will also assist pre-determined medical and burial assistance claimants, pre-assessment and referral for SLP livelihood application, and release of livelihood seed capital fund. DSWD personnel also have services for walk-in clients as they will put up Minors Traveling Abroad (MTA) and Adoption process desk, pre-assessment and referral for SLP livelihood application desk, and Pantawid Program Grievance desk.

DA will display agri-products for sale and will have their mini- kadiwa in partnership with 50 farmers. They will also distribute 500 Pili seedlings, 100 Calamansi planting materials and will conduct Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).

DA Public Information Officer Lovella Guarin that RSBSA (Rural Sectoral-Based Registry System for Agriculture) “serves as a database of individuals engaged in farming, fishing, and agricultural labor. It functions as a means of pinpointing qualified recipients for various government programs and services related to agriculture.”

DENR will distribute seedlings and has partnered with various People’s Organizations (Pos) to sell their local produce. They will display and sell bottled sardines, products from Bulan & Puerto Diaz, and stuffed butandings as souvenir items up for the taking. DENR will also conduct chain saw registration. June 5 also coincides with the celebration of World Environment Day. EMB on the other hand will release Pollution control accreditation to 16 recipients.

DOLE will conduct orientation and will distribute PPEs to 150 TUPAD beneficiaries. For those looking for a job, they will also have pre-registration of job applicants for their upcoming Kalayaan Jobs Fair. They will also assist clients who intend to avail of DOLE’s TUPAD program.