ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) 9 joined the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), along with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police at the Provincial Police Office, Camp Hamac, Sicayab, Dipolog City yesterday, for the launch of the “Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan Towards National Recovery” bringing the government closer to the Filipino public.

According to Communications Secretary Martin M. Andanar, since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte assumed office in 2016, the chain of positive changes in the Philippines started and this was achieved through his leadership anchored on his agenda of “Tapang at Malasakit”.

“It has been over 5 years since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte assumed the leadership of our nation – an event that started a chain of positive changes in our lives through his “Tapang at Malasakit” agenda against corruption, criminalities, and societal ills of our nation while ensuring economic prosperity, proactive and efficient social services, and upholding of human rights – aspects of governance that the previous administrations have failed to respond to,” said Sec. Andanar.

The ‘Duterte Legacy: Barangayanihan Caravan’ is a collaboration with government agencies, as well as volunteers from the Global Coalition of Advocacy Support Groups and Force Multipliers. This campaign aims to inform the public about the government’s programs, policies, accomplishments, and efforts to bring about real change to the lives of the Filipino people by showcasing real stories from the beneficiaries in their respective localities of the administration’s landmark policies and programs.

Atty. Roy L. Buenafe said that DOLE 9 for its part set up a booth and made services available to participants.

“The DOLE Zamboanga del Norte Field Office led by Chief Lourdes B. Amores made services such as registration for rural workers associations and registration to Safety Officers training available. OWWA Family Welfare Officers also provided customer assistance to OFWs present in the area,” Atty Buenafe added.

As part of the serbisyo caravan, DOLE 9 awarded livelihood starter kits to 4 beneficiaries namely Lyndon A. Culanculan​​ of Manukan and Almira P. Laquio, Christine B. Jaralve, Elmer S. Calio, residents of Dapitan City. Their kits were composed of tools and jigs for food vending, carpentry and retailing worth P 20,000.00 each.

Christine Jaralve expressed her thanks to DOLE, “Daghang salamat kaayo sa DOLE sa paghatag aning starter kit. Makasugod na gyud ko og pamaligya para matabangan nako ang akoang pamilya. Salamat kang Presidente Duterte ug Secretary Bebot Bello. (Thank you very much DOLE for providing this starter kit. I will now be able to start selling so I can help my family. Thank you President Duterte and Secretary Bebot Bello).

Also joining the caravan to offer basic services were Social Security System, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agrarian Reform, PhilHealth, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Land Transportation Office, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Health and Department of Public Works and Highways. ###