OPAV brings services to Inayawan residents

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the President through the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas rendered various services yesterday to over a thousand residents in Barangay Inayawan in Cebu City.

OPAV head Undersecretary Terence Calatrava, who personally met and greeted the beneficiaries, said that the services they provided include feeding, medical and dental services, legal aide, haircut, among others as he assured that his office will continue to give services directly to the people all over the Visayas.

Inayawan barangay captain Kirk Bryan Repollo was thankful to the Office of the President and OPAV for choosing his barangay as among the beneficiaries of the said services.

Inayawan has over 34,000 residents. The eighth biggest barangay in terms of voting population (over 22,000 plus in the last election) among the 80 barangays in Cebu City.

OPAV Assistant Secretary Antonio Veloso Jr., in an interview with The Freeman, said that the event was the second since the program was launched on June 12, 2023 in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City.

Veloso said that their next activity will be in Lapu-Lapu City by next Saturday.

Calatrava said that after which they will proceed to Bacolod City especially in areas identified to have many children.

The event was also supported by the Joint Task Force Group (JTG) Cebu Third Infantry Division of Visayas Command and Tingog Partylist.

JTG commander, Colonel Erwin Lamzon, said that they have several reservists joining the event wherein some do dental and medical, haircut and provide security in the area as part of their community service.

“This sends a message that the government will always take care of the well-being and welfare of its constituents. Government will always extend help to its people,” Lamzon added.

Veloso said that the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as International Pharmaceutical Corporation also provided medicines and hygiene products.

Calatrava also distributed rice at 5 kilos each to some 200 lucky residents as well as backpacks for the school children.

Several residents who received services such as medical consultation, dental and haircut said that they are glad that this kind of services goes directly to their barangay as it would mean savings on their part as medical consultation alone is expensive and the services are for free.

Some children also expressed gladness that they received backpacks as well as eating delicious rice porridge or lugaw while some are happy to receive free haircuts.

The over a thousand residents of Barangay Inayawan headed by Repollo also sang “Happy Birthday” to Calatrava, who will turn 46 years old this coming July 11, 2023. — (FREEMAN)