In Northern Samar
CATARMAN, Northern Samar-Residents in eight clustered barangays of San Roque town recently received an array of basic services and programs delivered by different public and private agencies participating in the Kauswagan Caravan, the 17th outing so far, and counting.
Beneficiaries were the local folks of barangays Balnasan, Balud, Bantayan, Coroconog, Genagdaan, Malobago, Lawaan, and Pagsang-an, and they converged at barangay Malobago, the venue of the June 30 event.
The move, initiated by the provincial government and formed part of the provincial task force on ending local communist armed conflict (PTF ELCAC), was the government’s way of bringing services and programs closest to the people at the grassroots, letting them feel that the government cares and feels about their plight.
The activity was also aimed at uplifting the lives of individuals living in the recipient communities not necessarily for a one-time, temporary relief but by means of sustained livelihood support through the distribution of tilapia fingerlings, coconut saplings, vegetable seeds, fruit bearing trees, and abaca suckers.
Farmers, backyard gardeners, and livestock breeders, among others, were the recipients of the agri-related materials mentioned, as well as the provision of health services such as medical check-up, dental services, free medical consultation, with matching free vitamins and medicines, and circumcision for boys.
Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Ongchuan expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders and partners as he affirmed the success of the program with the increasing number of private organizations which volunteered to join, contribute, and work with the provincial government in extending invaluable services to the disadvantaged Nortehanons.
T-shirts, slippers, bread, burgers, noodles, chorizo, and umbrellas, bowls of porridge, ice cream, slippers, school supplies, food packs, and used clothing were also provided.
The 803rd Infantry Brigade, and the local government unit of San Roque distributed soaps, used clothes, assorted groceries, hygiene kits, food packs, school supplies, rice, and biscuits.
Private transport groups provided free transportation for the participants while the Maharlikan Tigers International Fraternity and Sorority, Inc. brought clowns and performed magic tricks for the crowd.
Overall, 3,156 families from the eight barangays were served, including haircut and manicure, according to the provincial social welfare and development office (PSWDO) which pitched in food packs and hygiene kits, while the Provincial Veterinary Office rendered vaccination and deworming of pets and domestic animals.
The conduct of Kauswagan Caravan started during the time of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as a convergence of local, national agencies, LGUs, together with the private sector, the outreach program being an integrated part of the whole-of-nation approach in ending the decades-old problem of insurgency in the country.
(MMP/ADiaz/Northern Samar)
Agri goods smuggling top BOC’s criminal complaints
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has reported about 75 % of the criminal complaints involve agri products smuggled to the country during the first quarter of 2023. Of these, the BOC has filed 65 criminal complaints with the Department of Justice from January to March 2023. Of the 65 complaints, 49 were involved in the smuggling of agricultural commodities.
Agricultural goods smuggling affects the locally produced food items such as onion, garlic, potato, raddish, fruits, veggies, meat and meat products etc. , being unable to compete with illegally imported ones in terms of pricing
The BOC has committed to safeguard the Philippines borders, protect local industries from harmful effects, and combat smuggling in collaboration other government agencies. Its mandate is to deliver financial resources to the governments programs and projects as the second largest revenue-generating agency.
MY COMMENT:
The BOC alone cannot stop smuggling of items – combatting the illegal importation of any item is a big blow to the government’s desire to deliver all forms of services. The BOC needs the support of other agencies with police and/or military mandates plus the assistance and vigilance (24/7) of the general public, the community. Otherwise, the government will continue to be deprived of billions of pesos in unpaid taxes – needed to manage the government.
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