CATARMAN, Northern Samar (PIA) — The 21st Kauswagan Caravan has recently taken government services to seven clustered barangays in Laoang, Northern Samar.

Over a thousand families from Barangays Catigbian, Yabyaban, Cabagngan, Palmera, Gibatangan, Cabulaloan, and Sibunot benefited from the caravan that was organized to empower poor, marginalized, and disadvantaged individuals and families through education and information, particularly those from geographically isolated and impoverished areas.

Kauswagan Caravan is Gov. Edwin Marino Ogchuan's flagship program. 

It brings government services closer to the hard-to-reach barangays with the support of national government agencies, non-government organizations, the private sector, and other active partners who provide services to the residents of the said barangays.

Government agencies provided various services during the event, including agricultural support, healthcare, financial assistance, education, security, fire safety campaigns, legal consultations, skills development training, banking services, and media coverage.

Other services included distributing agricultural materials, educational programs, family food packs, and health promotion programs. The event also saw the distribution of school supplies, rice to impoverished families, and insurance for crops and livestock.

Private organizations provided food packages containing rice, chicken, biscuits, cupcakes, bottled water, and noodles.

They also provided non-food items, such as toys, bags, long-sleeved polo shirts, school supplies, hygiene kits, and others, were given to the recipient barangays.

Laoang Vice Mayor Miguel Sarmiento and Barangay Captain Alex Lucban expressed appreciation and gratitude to the provincial government, the different national government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other partners for their services rendered and unwavering support to make the event successful.

“Kaupay kay an mga serbisyo san gobyerno nahihingadi na sa amo kay pareho po san iba dre po nakapabulong tungod waray ginpapamasahe makuri an kwarta. Maupay gud in inga programa kay sira na gud an nakadi dinhi sa amo sa mga uma-uma ngan mga burubarangay,” Helen G. Sacristan, a mother, and a resident of Brgy. Sibunot, Laoang, Northern Samar, said.

(It's fortunate that government services are becoming accessible to us because, like others here, we can't afford transportation costs, making money tight. It's good that there are programs like this because many in our rural communities need them.) (TBC, PIA Northern Samar)