Barangay Caravan resumes in Davao City

After more than two years of suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Barangay Caravan program of the City Government of Davao resumed its services on Monday, July 18. The caravan was conducted during the 57th Araw ng Barangay of Barangay Crossing Bayabas. This was attended by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, City Councilors from the 3rd District, and other public officials.

Public services and city office transactions were delivered to the residents of Barangay Crossing Bayabas during the caravan. These include health services by the City Health Office and PhilHealth, and Lingap; social welfare services from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the Office of the Senior Citizen (OSCA), and the Educational Benefit System Unit (EBSU); legal services provided by the City Legal Office (CLO) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); and veterinary services from the City Veterinarian Office (CVO).

Other national agencies and local public offices that mobilized their operations are the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the City Civil Registrar’s Office (CCRO), the City Assessor’s Office (CASSO), the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO), the Barangay and Cultural Communities Affairs Division (BCCAD), the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAGRO), the Vice Mayor’s Office (VMO) and the City Mayor’s Office (CMO).

Almost all of the services available were free of charge, except for ones that require registration at the national level, such as the procurement of NBI and PSA documents.

In his speech, Mayor Baste spoke about the long hiatus the service caravan took as the city grappled with the health crisis. He also warned Dabawenyos not to be too complacent as Davao City starts to adapt to the new normal. “Mao ni’ng pinaka-unang caravan sukad naundang ang caravan atong pandemic. So malipayon ta nakapadayon na pud ta’g caravan pero ayaw lang mo’g kumpyansa (This is the first caravan since the program stopped during the pandemic. So, we are happy that we get to continue the caravan but you should not be complacent),” said Mayor Baste.

The mayor added, “Basta kadtong wala pa nakapa-booster og wala pa’y bakuna, make sure na magpabakuna lang mo. Pero ang pandemya, naa pa dinha; wala pa nahuman. Importante nga musuot lang mo’g mask (As long as those who are yet to get booster shots or first doses of vaccine will make sure to avail of them. However, the pandemic is still there; it is not over. You must wear masks.)

For the months of July and August, the Barangay Caravan will be at Barangays Bunawan Proper (July 25), Mandug (August 8 ), Centro Agdao (August 9), Malamba (August 19), Los Amigos (August 22), Salapawan (August 25), Mapula (August 26), Tibuloy (August 29), and Acacia (August 30). CIO