Community dialog with gov’t

at Barangayan in Batasan Is.

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA)—A community dialogue with the government while over a hundred beneficiaries had medical consultations, free medicines dispensed, free dental extractions, random blood sugar tests, received identification cards, registered and enlisted as members, boats registered and records updated, health insurance updated and food packs and lunch packs, while over a hundred residents were given free haircuts as highlight of the recent Barangayan sa Bagong Pilipinas, in Barangay Batasan Island, Tubigon.

Mandated to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) by the Presidential Communications Office, Barangayan sa Bagong Pilipinas is a town-hall meeting concept to bring the government and the community in a dialog about the communities.

Brought to provide a venue for the residents of Batasan island to hear from the government the plans after the entire island experiences sinking with the coming of the tides exposing lives and property to undue risks, Barangayan also brought in the municipal government to discuss its plans, the National Housing Authority for their housing programs for relocations, Congressman John Geesnell Yap for support legislation and the disaster teams to explain to the community the risks in staying in the sinking islands.

And as the government braved the 45 minute sea crossing to the island, it also brought agencies with front-line services for a mini-caravan for the underserved island community.

The Philippine Statistics Authority accomplished over 50 Phil ID registrations and ID printing, Social Security System with their SSS on Wheels brought membership registration, data updating and employee compensation issues.

Philippine Health Insurance Corporation also brought in Member Data Records services, ID printing nd membership, Yaman ng Kalusugan Program as expanded Konsulta, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources also joined with Fishermen’s registration, and distributed information education and communication materials on seaweeds production, milkfish production while Agricultural Training Institute distributed IEC, seeds and La Nina mitigation pamphlets.

Aside from securing the Caravan area and the dialog, the elements of the Philippine Army 47th Infantry Katapatan Batallion and 21st Special Forces Riverine Company also provided sea-transport and free haircuts.

Congressman John Geesnell Yap also provided packed meals and sent in representatives to deliver critical inputs during the meeting, while the Governor’s Office’s Medical Outreach Unit and the Provincial Health Office sent in dentists and dental aides for the dental mission and doctors and nurses in partnership with RHU Tubigon for the free consultations and dispenses medicines.

Topping it all was Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado’s critical support in the mobilization of Capitol assets, logistics and the release of the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development’s food packs for the residents experiencing the crisis

LGU Tubigon also mobilized its seaborne patrol, agriculture office water assets, speed boat, generator set and additional support for the medical and dental missions. (PIAbohol)

FREE SERVICES. PIA’s Barangayan allowed the government to bring its services to the communities and opened avenues for dialog between government and the communities affected by tide rise and the dangers of ill weather. (PIAbohol)