ANTIQUE – Thousands of Antiqueños availed themselves of government services during the “Handog ng Pangulo – Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” held September 13 at the EBJ Gymnasium, Binirayan Sports Complex, in celebration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s birthday.
The nationwide initiative, spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Antique in partnership with national agencies, served as a one-stop-shop fair, bringing programs and support directly to the people.
The Department of Agriculture Region 6 distributed 25 cans of bulb onion seeds to eight farmer-beneficiaries from four local government units (LGUs) and awarded certificates under the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Program to another eight recipients. Two farmer associations also received certificates for 100 native chickens.
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) released P277,000 in indemnity checks to 40 farmers, while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) facilitated the payout of wages for 1,530 TUPAD workers in San Jose town and held orientations for 800 more workers.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) offered consultations, processed new business registrations, and awarded loan certificates to two small business owners. Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) provided on-the-spot printing of member data records and IDs, and assisted with YAKAP Program enrollment.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) distributed training support funds to 151 scholars, while the Provincial Cooperative Development Office (PCDO) assisted with cooperative consultations and registrations. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) turned over 200 seedlings to OPENRO, and the Provincial Health Office (PHARO) provided disaster tents to municipalities.
Gov. Paolo Javier, Cong. AA Legarda, Mayor Paul Joseph Untaran, and agency representatives graced the event.
In his message, Javier said he is exploring with the Food Trade and Industry (FTI) a possible rice subsidy program to lower rice prices to P20/kilo for Antiqueños.
“We will try to talk to Sir Benjie (Bala) on how to do it para ma batyagan niyo man ang bulig halin sa atun Pangulo kag sa atun probinsya. Thank you gid sa atun Presidente. Happy birthday, kabay pa nga mayad anang lawas kag ma solbar ang tanan nga problema sa atun pinalangga nga Pilipinas kag sa atun probinsya,” Javier said.
For his part, Benjie O. Bala, Rice Program Manager for Visayas and representative of President Marcos, highlighted the Chief Executive’s vision of making government services felt in every community.
“Madalas pong sabihin ng ating Presidente na ‘Ang pamahalaan ay dapat nararamdaman sa bawat barangay, bawat kKomunidad, at bawat pamilya.’… Nawa’y magsilbi ang araw na ito bilang paalala na may gobyerno tayo na tunay na umaalalay at tapat na nagsusulong ng kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino,” Bala stressed.
The Handog ng Pangulo caravan was simultaneously conducted nationwide, reaffirming the government’s “Bagong Pilipinas” vision of a more progressive, inclusive, and responsive Philippines./PN
