AUDIO-Bohol joins Barangayan

service caravan at Batasan island

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)--Members of the Association of United Development Information Officers (AUDIO)-Bohol joined the 'Barangayan sa Bagong Pilipinas' mini service caravan in Batasan Island in Tubigon town on August. 27.

Initiated by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bohol, the office of First District Representative John Geesnell Yap, local government unit of Tubigon, national government agencies and private institutions, the team brought government services to the heart of the community.

Headed by its president Doris Isabel Racho of Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Central Visayas, together with other AUDIO-Bohol members like the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Social Security System (SSS), the 47th Infantry Battalion (47IB) of the Philippine Army and 21st Special Forces ‘Riverine’ Company – provided frontline services to the residents of the island barangay.

DA-ATI Central Visayas together with its Farmers' Information and Technology Service (FITS) Tubigon provided IEC and advocacy materials and seeds for containerized gardening; BFAR provided Fisherfolk Registration System and distributed IEC materials on livelihood and value added products derived from fisheries; PhilHealth brought YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program), an enhanced version of the former Konsulta Package that promises broader primary care benefits for all members; PSA conducted PhilID registration; SSS facilitated membership and data updating; 47IB provided free haircut; PCG provided safety, security and boat numbering; while 21st SF Coy provided sea transpo assistance to the team.

The Office of the Governor’s Medical Outreach Unit also joined the Barangayan bringing in free medicines as an added service complementing the Provincial Health Office (PHO) free medical and dental check-up and tooth extraction.

A total of 270 sacks (containing 10 kilos) of rice and 270 grocery packs were also distributed to the families of the island barangay courtesy of the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (OPSWDO), while the Cong. Yap provided 200 food packs.

Meanwhile, National Housing Authority's Genesis Manalili shared to residents the government housing program of putting up 80 row houses on the first tranche and another 75 houses by the next tranche in Genonocan, where affected people of island residents can avail.

“Being able to reach out to Batasan Island reminds me why partnerships and teamwork matters. Each activity is not just about delivering services, it’s about planting hope, building resilience, and showing our farmers/fisherfolk that they are never alone in facing challenges,” shared AUDIO-Bohol President, Doris Isabel Racho.

“I’m grateful to PIA Bohol, fellow AUDIO members, and all the government agencies who walk hand-in-hand to bring services closer to the people. Hope, we made small steps that create lasting impact,” Racho added.

Batasan island resident Marjorie Maca, a 25-year old mother expressed her gratitude for the caravan as she was able to avail free check-up and medicines for her 1-year old son.

“Salamat kaayo niining caravan kay napa check-up nako akong anak og libre ug natagaan pa gyud me og mga libreng tambal ug vitamins. Maglisod ko og palit ani usahay tungod sa kalisod sa budget. Dakadaog pa gyud ko og payong sa pa-raffle,” Maca happily shared.

(I am very grateful to this caravan because I was able to get my child checked up for free and I was even given free medicines and vitamins. I sometimes have a hard time buying these because of the budget constraints. I even won an umbrella in the raffle).

The 'Barangayan sa Bagong Pilipinas,' is an agency mandated town-hall meeting, which allows the government to directly communicate with communities government solutions to community issues, especially in building resilient communities.

The Batasan Island, one of the sinking island communities in Bohol, has been experiencing unusually high tides, and the risk to life and property further escalates with the Habagat and the lingering effects of climate change. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)

Residents of Batasan island in Tubigon town availed medical consultations and other government services, which they could hardly get owing to their distance from the nearest services facility in the mainland town of Tubigon. Apart from this they also received free medicines and vitamins during the Barangayan sa Bagong Pilipinas mini service caravan held at Batasan covered court on August 27, 2025. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)