600 Central Luzon residents get aid from 'Isarap'

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- About 600 Central Luzon residents benefitted from the various services offered by national government agencies (NGAs) as part of the Integrated Sustainable Assistance, Recovery and Advancement Program (ISARAP).

The convergence activity conducted at Villa Barosa, Dolores in City of San Fernando, Pampanga was intended to inform the public about the government’s programs, policies, accomplishments, and the implementation of the continuing projects and programs of the Duterte administration.

Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes Leoncio Evasco Jr. highlighted that the program is a way of letting the people, especially those who are in the marginalized sector, know that the government is relevant, is on their side, and is responsive to their needs.

“We should not be surprised that President Duterte, leading this administration, is maintaining a high rating because his administration is continuously in connection with the people, and meeting their needs, especially the basic needs,” he said.

He said the ISARAP is a regular activity of converging government agencies to distribute goods, benefits, and services to be conducted until the tail end of the administration to inform the people of the Duterte legacy.

In addition, Evasco underscored that the ISARAP convergence showed that there is no need for the people to look for the NGAs, as the agencies themselves are already bringing their services to the residents.

“The life of the people is already challenging, so we should not make their lives more difficult in finding the agencies which could cater their needs. It is a way of putting comfort and convenience to the lives of the people as their needs are presented here in front of them… This is an honest program, and not just a show off,” he pressed.

The official congratulated Central Luzon as the pilot region which conducted the activity simultaneously in the provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija.

Among the ISARAP participating agencies is the Department

of Social Welfare and Development which awarded cash incentives worth P15,000 each to the recipients of the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), which aims to reduce poverty and inequality by generating employment among poor households.

The agency also gave P3,000 each to the beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, a program providing immediate aid to the poor and vulnerable individuals or families by giving them financial and material assistance, psychosocial intervention, and referral for other services.

Also, the Cooperative Development Authority awarded P50,000 each to three cooperatives namely Duty, Dignity, Determination Multipurpose Cooperative from Orani, Bataan; and Balubad Progressive Credit Cooperative, and Señora Multipurpose Cooperative from Porac, Pampanga.

Apart from these, Department of Information and Communications Technology provided free assistance and printing of the VaxCertPH; awarded scholarship grants for the digitaljobsPH Training Program to the qualified residents of the City of San Fernando, Pampanga; and gave ICT equipment to chosen indigenous peoples for the Tech4ED Project.

For its part, the Department of Public Works and Highways Pampanga 1st District Engineering Office setup a job registration booth to provide employment opportunities from government accredited contractors including the Royal Crown, Three-In-One Construction Trading, Ferdstar Builders and Contractors, NES-SAN Builders, EDD MARI Construction and Trading.

Other government agencies in the region which participated in the information and services caravan include the Department of Education, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Agriculture, and National Housing Authority. (PIA 3)