OPAV holds caravan of services

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) has conducted another medical, dental, legal and feeding caravan, this time in Lapu-Lapu City.

OPAV Undersecretary Terence Calatrava, in his speech, has assured the people that social services from the Office of the President will go down to the people by way of giving free services.

Over a thousand Oponganons, aside from receiving medical, dental and legal services, several children and adults were able to full their hungry stomach with a porridge loaded in a large four cauldron.

“Sobra usa ka sako nga bugas ang giluto para lugaw. Gisugdan ni og luto kadlawon pa,” said one of the people manning the feeding station.

“Nanghinaot ko nga sa wala pa mo nagpa medical nganha, nabusog na na inyong mga tiyan,” said Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan making laughters among those who availed of the various services which includes free haircut.

“Mainiton nato nga gidawat ang atong OPAV Sec. Terence isip pasalamat sa paggahin og oras nga makahatod og kalipay sa mga Oponganon uban sa atong pinalanggang kongresista, Congresswoman Ma. Cynthia "Cindi" King Chan ug mga konsehales,” the mayor added in his speech.

OPAV also gave out free medicines and vitamins as well as five kilos of rice each to 200 lucky residents whose names were drawn through raffles.

Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Annabeth Cuizon, chairperson of the committee on social services, said that they are so happy that this kind of services were availed of by their constituents as this is also align with the city government’s services to their own people.

“Every Friday gyud na non-stop all year round nga mangadto gyud mi og usa ka barangay to also give free services like medical and dental ug uban. So gikalipay gyud namo nga ang OPAV mismo nihatag sad og serbisyo sa atong katawhan,” said Cuizon.

The event was also supported by the Joint Task Force Group (JTG) Cebu Third Infantry Division of Visayas Command and Tingog Partylist.

JTG commander, Colonel Erwin Lamzon, said that they have several reservists including from the Philippine Air Force joining the event wherein some do dental and medical, haircut and provided security in the area as part of their community service.

Lamzon said that their participation in this endeavor sends a message that government will always take care of the well-being and welfare of its constituents and government always extend help to its people.

OPAV Assistant Secretary Antonio Veloso Jr. said that their third caravan of services since this was launched last month in Barangay Carreta then followed by Barangay Inayawan, both in Cebu City.

Next Saturday, Veloso said they will proceed to Bacolod City to offer the same services then will proceed to some places in Region 8 then go back to Region 7.

“This is non-stop. Continuous ni ang paghatag nato og serbisyo sa katawhan sa entire Visayas area,” Veloso added.

Veloso thanked Tingog Partylist, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the International Pharmaceutical Incorporated and the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for their support in making the caravan of services a success.

Joining the event yesterday include Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Chan and City Councilors Atty. Eugene Espedido, Jun Alforque, Efren Tumulak Herrera, Cuizon, Emilio Galaroza, Jeorgen Eyas-Book, Climaco "Montor" Tatoy, and Joseph Pangatungan.-

Cash Aid

Meanwhile, siblings Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano also extended financial assistance to selected market vendors and persons with disabilities in Cebu City and in Medellin town.

Close to 200 market traders of the Cebu City United Vendors Association (CCUVA) got some financial help.

The assistance was coursed through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.

The payout was attended by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Cebu 2nd District Rep. Edu Rama, Barangay Ermita chairman Mark Miral, and CCUVA president Maria Pino.

A day after, Cayetano’s team and the DSWD distributed capital to persons with disabilities under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP).

The beneficiaries consisted of Cebuano amputees, deaf, and blind including athletes of the Philippine Accessible Disability Service (PADS) Dragon Boat Team, as well as members of the Cebu Gualandi Association of the Deaf and Naga City Central SPED.

“I really feel the joy and happiness na nakita natin sa mga mata ng mga members natin sa PADS,” John Paul Maunes, founder and executive director of PADS, said.

Cebu City Councilor Philip Zafra led the distribution of financial aid to selected PWDs in Cebu City held at the conference room of the Mayor’s office.

In the municipality of Medellin, the group distributed assistance to more than 100 members of BOMEKATODA under the joint effort of Cayetano’s Presyo-Trabaho-Kita/Kaayusan (PTK) team and the DSWD’s AICS unit.

The PTK program is part of Cayetano’s commitment to empower the country’s vulnerable sectors especially amid various crises. —  Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (FREEMAN)