MALAYBALAY CITY — A total of 1,667 residents from remote villages in Bukidnon received government services during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” caravan held Sept. 13 at the Kaamulan Open Theater

The caravan, organized by the Presidential Management Staff in partnership with the Bukidnon provincial government and various national agencies, provided health, livelihood, and social services to beneficiaries. Activities included free medical and dental checkups, legal consultations, livelihood assistance, social welfare support, and agricultural aid. Food packs, financial assistance, and livelihood kits were also distributed.

Government agencies deployed their programs and personnel to make services more accessible to rural communities. Participating agencies included the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Education (DepEd).

Agrarian reform grantee Evangeline Octit, 45, of Lantapan, expressed appreciation after receiving her land title.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dahil isa ako sa mga benepisyaryo ng kanyang programa, lalo na sa titulo na ngayon ay hawak na namin matapos ang matagal na naming pinaghirapan,” she said.

(I thank President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the land title we now hold after years of hard work.)

The event also included a job fair, aid distribution, and ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Local officials said these activities reflected the government’s support for communities across the province.

“Handog ng Pangulo is a lifeline for our work,” Octit added.

DOLE facilitated payouts under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, offering short-term, community-based employment to displaced and underemployed residents.

Melinda M. Cortez, 55, of Barangay Simaya in Malaybalay City, said the support was meaningful to low-income earners.

“Napakalaking tulong po ito para sa aming mga mahihirap. Sana po ay marami pa kayong matulungan,” she said.

(This aid is a big help to us, and we hope many more will benefit from it.)

Several agencies also provided education support, training programs, and legal services. Youth participants received assistance in accessing education and technical skills development.

Japar Cabero, 18, a Bachelor of Science in Criminology student from Valencia City under the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES), urged other students to utilize available resources.

“Seize the opportunity to study for free. This is an invaluable gift from our government,” he said.

Arlene S. Bacornay, 54, of Incalbog, Can-ayan, said DSWD’s assistance would help meet her family’s daily needs.

“Ang financial assistance po na natanggap namin ay napakahalaga para sa aming mga kapos sa kita. Asahan n’yo po na aming papalaguin ito para sa aming pamilya,” she said.

(This aid gives our family hope, and we’ll use it to secure a better future.)

Bukidnon Gov. Rogelio Neil Roque said the caravan supports the government’s push to make services more accessible.

“Handog ng Pangulo reaffirms our commitment to strengthen grassroots presence and ensure that no Filipino is left behind in national development,” he said.

Roque said the initiative helps align government services with the goal of inclusive growth and expanded access to opportunities for Filipino families. (MSM/PIA-10/Bukidnon)