Capitol gives P94 million worth of assistance

CEBU, Philippines — A total of P94 million worth of cash aid, services, and brand-new cars, among others, were given by the Cebu Provincial Government during its two-day Provincial Caravan of Government Services for the first quarter.

Beneficiaries were 10 local government units (LGUs) from Cebu's fifth district, where Cebu Governor Gwendolyn "Gwen" Garcia spearheaded the turnover of services.

On Thursday, Garcia, together with Deputy Speaker and Cebu's fifth district representative Duke Frasco graced the distribution of checks to the municipal mayors, vice mayors, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members, and Association of Barangay Captain (ABC) presidents of municipalities of Liloan, Compostela, Carmen, Catmon, Sogod, and Borbon.

On Friday, the province distributed P13 million worth of checks to the municipalities of San Francisco, Poro, Tudela, and Pilar.

The Capitol also awarded Sogod Police Station and Camotes National High School brand-new cars for being winners of different SUGBUsog categories.

SUGBUsog, which stands for "Sugbuanong Busog, Luwas, Ug Himsog," is the Provincial Government's program encouraging non-farmers to grow vegetables in their backyard, which initiated during the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

The Sogod Police Station received a brand-new Toyota Hilux 4x4 as the champion of the second round of the "Sugbusog sa Estasyonan" at the district level. Camotes National High School in San Francisco Camotes received a brand-new Toyota Lite Ace as the "Sugbusog sa Eskwelahan district champion."

The province also gave three centenarians P100,000 pesos cash gift during the caravans.

Recipients were Quirina Caputol Durano of Dunggoan of Danao City, Vevencia Cañete of Poblacion of Liloan, and Dominga Formentera of Barangay Union in the town of San Francisco in Camotes.

The three shared that eating healthy foods such as vegetables and fish and minimizing stress is the secret to their long lives.

Aside from cash, they received vitamins, and food packs, while Lola Dominga also received a wheelchair for her mobility.

Provincial Caravan of Government Services was first launched in 2019 as Garcia won a fresh term to serve the province. It included assistance for health, social welfare and development, legal aspect, veterinary, agriculture, and other services.

The two-day activity was attended by several municipal government officials and welcomed by hundreds of people at each of its destinations.

In her speech, Garcia assured everyone would receive help per their needs.

"Way gipili, way gipinit hatagan ang tanan pinasubay sa gikinahanglan sa katawhan," said Garcia. —/GAN (FREEMAN)