Ilocos Sur bags award for anti-poverty program

VIGAN CITY , Philippines  – What’s in a name again?

For the province of Ilocos Sur, it means so much including being listed in a Hall of Fame list by the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

For its uniquely-named service and assistance programs like Kabsat, Saranay, Tagibika, and Taripato the Ilocos Sur government has bagged the Best Poverty Alleviation Program Implementor award in Region 1 recently.

And for getting the award year after year several times, the province was accorded the Hall of Fame status by the NAPC, the award-giving body.  

Gov. Deogracias Victor Savellano accepted the award and distinction in behalf of the provincial government from Catherine Mae Santos, NAPC assistant secretary, last week.

“Let’s follow the best practices of local government units and implement them in our localities,” Santos remarked citing Ilocos Sur during the award rites which was attended by representatives of other provinces and municipalities. 

Savellano exhorted his fellow officials and his anti-poverty program implementing team to do more for their provincemates and not be “lulled by the awards that we receive.”

Kabsat is a regularly held outreach activity bringing medical, livelihood, agricultural and other welfare programs to depressed communities. It is an Ilocano word for brother or sister but as an acronym coined by Savellano it stands for Kakailian nga Agnaed Barangay Sangkamaysa nga Agrang-ay Tayo (Provincemates who live in Barangays, we will all prosper).

Saranay, an Ilocano word for aid, is acronym for Salunat ken Rang-ay Ayuda Pangakaykaysa (Unity through Health and Progress). It is mainly a health assistance program.