The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office III continues to provide services to the rural areas through its Information and Education Caravan.

Just recently, the DSWD Field Office together with nine (9) partners from the national government agencies (NGAs), reached out the people of Floridablanca, Pampanga through giving of information on the social welfare programs and services of the government.

Participating NGAs included the Departments of Agriculture (DA), the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Labor and Employment (DOLE), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Commission on Population (POPCOM), National Nutrition Council (NNC), and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). They presented their respective programs and services to some 120 target audience through information, education and communication (IEC) materials like flyers, comics, newsletters, stickers, brochures and short video presentation. The DA also distributed various vegetables seeds to the participants.

Program-beneficiaries of the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) also participated with their various products for sale.

In her message, Assistant Regional Director for Operations Venus F. Rebuldela said that the government is bringing services closer to the people and in return, the people should do their part to help themselves and not solely rely on the government for their future. “Isipin din po natin kung ano ang magagawa natin para sa gobyerno (Let’s also think what we can do for the government), she added.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Michael Galang said, “Ito ang magandang layunin ng convergence, ang mga sangay ng pamahalaan, local at national ay nagtutulong-tulong para sa pag-unlad ng mga komunidad (This is the good intention of convergence, all the branches of the government, local or national, join efforts for the empowerment of communities).” He also stressed that “Ang kaalaman ay kapangyarihan (knowledge is power).”

The caravan aims to let the people know that the government truly cares for the disadvantaged, marginalized and the vulnerable sectors. This is also in line with the Duterte administration’s thrust of providing prompt government services to the citizenry. ### (Evelyn T. Manalo)