To celebrate the president’s birthday: Service caravan

CEBU, Philippines — A service caravan awaits Cebuanos as the Cebu Provincial Government celebrates President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s 69th birthday through a day of public service, bringing various government assistance, employment, and skills programs at the Capitol on Monday, September 14.

The daylong activity comes with assistance ranging from health care and financial aid to livelihood support, skills training, employment, and regulatory services.

The service caravan will be held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol compound, which will serve as a one-stop venue for participating national government agencies and provincial offices.

The initiative is annually organized by the Office of the President as part of Marcos’ birthday celebration.

The main program will start at 8 a.m. at the Capitol Social Hall following the flag-raising ceremony.

Among the activities lined up at the Social Hall are ceremonial distributions of government assistance and an interaction with the President through Zoom.

Assistance desks from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), PhilHealth, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will also be stationed at the venue.

TESDA will provide skills grants, while several beneficiaries will receive assistance under social welfare, education, employment, health, and livelihood programs.

Under social welfare assistance, five beneficiaries will receive slots under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) UPLIFT Program, while another five will receive Sustainable Livelihood Program grants. Five DARE Care slots will also be made available.

For education and skills development, 15 TESDA scholarship slots and 40 financial assistance slots from the Commission on Higher Education will be distributed.

Employment assistance will also form part of the caravan, with five beneficiaries under the Special Program for the Employment of Students, eight under the Government Internship Program, three under the Department of Labor and Employment’s DILP, and 10 under TUPAD.

Health-related assistance will include the distribution of 30 mobility aids from the Department of Health.

Five persons with disabilities will also receive PWD identification cards from the National Council on Disability Affairs.

Support for housing, agriculture, and small businesses is likewise included in the program. The National Housing Authority will distribute assistance to 12 EHAP beneficiaries, while the National Irrigation Administration will turn over two solar-powered irrigation projects.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its financing arm, Small Business Corp., will also award five certificates of loan approval.

Beyond the ceremonial activities, government agencies will operate different service stations across the Capitol compound to accommodate residents seeking assistance.

TESDA will hold product and skills showcases at the Capitol Dome, while DSWD will distribute UPLIFT assistance at Parking Lot 1.

DOH will conduct medical checkups, while the Department of Agriculture and DTI will feature product displays along the Capitol facade.

At the Capitol Basketball Court, DOLE will conduct a local and overseas job fair alongside medical checkups and the distribution of PWD identification cards.

Other participating agencies include the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter (IBPP), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), National Housing Authority (NHA), PhilPost, Department of Agriculture (DA), and various service offices of the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Residents who intend to seek assistance, apply for jobs, or claim government support are advised to arrive early and bring valid identification and the necessary supporting documents. — (FREEMAN)