DAVAO CITY (PIA)—Davaoeños thanked the government for the various assistance and services during the MindaNOW: Serbisyo Para sa Mindanao caravan held from September 5 to 6 at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP).
Aurora Ambin, a resident of Barangay 2-A, who received financial assistance under the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), thanked the government for the assistance.
“Nagpasalamat kaayu ko’g dako sa atong gobyerno kay nga na-apil mi para ani nga hinabang. Dako kaayu ni’g matabang sa amoang panginabuhi,” Ambin said.
(I am very thankful to our government because we were included as beneficiaries in this assistance program. This is a big help for our daily sustenance.)
When asked about how she would use the cash aid, she said that she would use the money as additional capital for her banana cue and vegetable business in a public market in Davao City.
“Kay naa man mi pwesto gamay sa gawas sa Metro Mercado, makatabng ni’g dako para at least, dili nata dili na ta maglisod, naa natay pang capital,” she said.
(We have a small space outside the Metro Mercado; the money will help a lot as additional capital and help us through difficult times.)
Janar Picabo, a first-year student from USeP, also expressed a similar sentiment as she received financial assistance under the Integrated Scholarship & Incentives Program (ISIP).
“I’m very thankful for the assistance through ISIP, as it helps me with my expenses in school,” Picabo said.
As a hospitality management student, she said the cash aid would greatly help her with the requirements needed for her program.
“There are a lot of things that are required from us BSHM students, like our uniform, and soon with our exposure in the hospitality industry,” she said.
Jose Saguni, a coconut farmer from Marilog District, Davao City, could not contain his happiness as he received coconut seedlings and fertilizers from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
“Dako kaayu akong pasalamat nga bisag nagkinaunsa ang panahon, naa gyuy tabang sa gobyerno para sa amoa,” he emphasized.
(I am very grateful that whatever happens, the government is always there ready to help us.)
Saguni shared that PCA supported him even before he started tilling his land, giving him seedlings and
fertilizer, and also enhancing my capability, and linking him with other government assistance and services.
The PCA and other government agencies have been supporting us. So, thank you very much, he said.
Because of the sustained support of the PCA and other government agencies, he said he was able to provide for the needs of his family.
Now that he is old, he wishes to sustain his farm with the assistance of PCA and other government agencies to also support the families of his children and grandchildren.
The Davao City service caravan also brought a range of government services that many Davaoeños have benefited from.
For instance, Ritchie Alcano was able to process the renewal of his student permit through the Land Transportation Office (TLO) on Wheels.
He was very thankful for being able to process his student permit conveniently and quickly.
“Pasalamat ko kay naa ni nga serbisyo diri ug sa LTO kay nindot kaayu inyong serbisyo,” he explained.
(Thank you for this service here and to the LTO because the process was very convenient.)
He added that the processing through the TLO On Wheels was a lot quicker and simpler compared to physically visiting its office, noting that “just in one visit you can process your student permit.”
Ambin, Picabo, Saguni, and Alcano were part of the thousand Davaoeños who benefited from the MinDA-led service caravan in Davao City. (clc/ASO/PIA XI)
