Department of the Interior and Local Government XII Regional Director Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III hailed the “effective management of the series of Serbisyo Caravans” being conducted by the Provincial Government of Cotabato during its fourth Local Serbisyo Caravan in Barangay Linangcob, Kidapawan City last November 24.
Residents of the said barangays were able to attend the one-day activity and availed of the services of various national government agencies that joined the said event while following the health protocols implemented by the government against COVID-19.
“We would like to congratulate the provincial government. It seems that the province has perfected the conduct of the (Local Serbisyo) Caravan,” said Director Leysa.
The Director’s remarks were in line with the most recent development within the Regional Inter Agency Task Force (RIATF) against COVID-19 which has recently passed a Resolution allowing the conduct of the Serbisyo Caravan in the Region “provided that LGUs strictly follow the government’s health protocols against the disease.” Director Leysa sits as Chairperson of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force against COVID-19.
“The LGU is given the responsibility to conduct these caravans while managing the (spread) of Covid-19 virus,” she added.
The resolution was passed after members of the Task Force raised their concerns over possible challenges in implementing these caravans while managing Covid-19 transmissions.
"We should allow the conduct of the caravan as it is an integral part of the national government’s commitment to bring public service closer to the people," the Director said.
Serbisyo Caravans are one of the activities of the government’s Ending Local Communist-Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Program under President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70, or the Whole-of-Nation Approach, to fight communist terrorist groups and end communist influence in the country.
Director Leysa said, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have identified 62 barangays in the Region that will serve as target beneficiaries of the said program this year. Of the total barangays, 36 of which are located in Cotabato Province, including Barangays Linangcob.
The Provincial Government of Cotabato confirmed it has allotted Php 22 million ELCAC-related activities this year and plans to allot Php 34 million pesos for the program in 2021.
