The Municipality of Dalaguete is privileged and honored to have hosted the first ever “Bagong Pilipinas Caravan of Services” (BPCS) in Cebu Province. The 1-day event was held at the Dalaguete National High School (DNHS), Brgy. Poblacion, Dalaguete, Cebu on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Similar to Cebu Province’s Gov. Gwen Garcia’s “Caravan of Services”, the BPCS is the smaller-scale version of the “Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair” (BPSF), which is a service caravan under the administration of Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., that aims to bring government services closer to the Filipino people.
The Dalaguete BPCS was initiated by the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV), under the leadership of Usec. Terence C. Calatrava. Through Cong. Edsel A. Galeos of the 2nd District of Cebu Province, the progressive Municipality of Dalaguete was chosen as the ideal host for the said activity.
Participated by around 1,000 personnel from 25 national government agencies (NGAs) and private entities, including but not limited to, the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Dept. of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Dept. of Health (DOH), in partnership with the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), the Dept. of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and attended by constituents from the 2nd District of Cebu Province, approximately 5,000 beneficiaries from the seven (7) municipalities of Argao, Dalaguete, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Santander, and Samboan, were served through AICS and TUPAD Programs, free eye, dental and health services, medical check-ups and assistive devices, such as wheelchairs and crutches, free legal aid services, free circumcisions and haircuts, livelihood and educational services, and other regulatory functions, such as membership registration and application to SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, PSA, PRC, and others. The Registry of Deeds (ROD), in collaboration with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Cebu Chapter (IBP-Cebu), also served free patent land titles and legal aid to beneficiaries of Dalaguete. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) also provided free Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) and administered examinations to almost 300 constituents. The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) conducted Operation Tuli and Fire Safety Lectures and provided free legal aid service and haircuts to more than 200 beneficiaries, while the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Navy and local Joint Task Force provided crucial security and protection to all personnel, participants, attendees, beneficiaries, and dignitaries on the ground.
The event was graced by the presence of Usec. Terence C. Calatrava (OPAV), Tingog Party List Regional Chair for the Visayas, Ms. Happy K. Calatrava, Atty. Kaye Almeida-Yap, OPAV Spokesperson, Atong Amigo 2nd District – Cebu Province Cong. Edsel A. Galeos, Hon. Ronald Allan G. Cesante, CPA (Mayor of Host Municipality), Hon. William O. Lagahid (Vice Mayor of Host Municipality), Regional Directors and representatives of participating NGAs, Mayors, Vice Mayors, SB Members, Brgy. Captains, and SK Chairpersons and Members of the 2nd District of Cebu.
The BPCS at the Municipality of Dalaguete (MGD) was hailed a resounding success. According to Ms. Shalaine Marie Sun-Lucero, DSWD Regional Director, “The event was organized and the people around were joyful of the opportunity to avail of the different services…the preparations went very smoothly.” The OPAV Team also expressed “deepest appreciation to the Municipality of Dalaguete Mayor Cesante and Staff and Cong. Edsel Galeos and Team for their generous contribution, hard work and commitment” to serving the people.
The event’s success was made possible through the leadership tandem of 2nd District Cong. Edsel Galeos and Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante, and the unity, hard work, collaboration, and commitment of all personnel involved. Of course, the success would also not have been made possible without the support of Cong. Edsel Galeos’s Working Committee and the help of more than 300 dedicated staff and service providers of the MGD, particularly, the Municipal employees who were the Focal Persons for all participating agencies, the more than 100 teachers and non-teaching staff of the DNHS (Host Venue) who ensured the order and cleanliness of the classrooms prior to the event, DNHS School Principal, Mr. Robert Ceniza, who gave his utmost support, around 50 SK Chairpersons and members, and the almost 150 Senior High School students on Job Immersion at MGD, who were present on the ground. Morning and afternoon snacks and packed lunches were provided to Working Committee members and personnel of participating NGAs by local catering service providers, Sug-angan de Drianne, Gerboy Catering Service, and Edmond’s Restaurant. Fams Catering Service of Argao and Cocina Calza provided catering service to government officials and dignitaries. The Masters of Ceremony during the Program proper were Ms. Jackie Lou B. Belciña and Mr. Carlo C. Ambrad, while an intermission number provided an energetic welcome and entertainment to guests and dignitaries by the Dalaguete Utanon Festival Dancers. Indeed, the event’s success is testament to everyone’s effort and passion towards excellence and public service.
Onwards and upwards, #DalagueteRising
