SANTO TOMAS, Davao del Norte Sept. 19 -A total of 200 residents here coming from several barangays have benefited from the caravan of government services dubbed as "OPLAN TABANG" (Tabang sa Barangay Alang sa Nanginahanglan ug Galisod) culminated on Wednesday, Sept 18 at Barangay San Jose, Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte.

In his speech, Mayor Ernesto Evangelista lauded the "Oplan TABANG" because it brings the government services closer to the people.

"This program gives as a sense of direction in terms of providing basic social services to those who are at the peripheries with the leadership of our provincial government led by Governor Jubahib," Evangelista said.

He added that Oplan Tabang shares the same concept of his "Dangpanan ni Tomas" where it serves as a one-stop shop of providing social services to the people.

"Our activity can be best described as a convergence efforts of various government agencies aiming to provide sustainable development to the people of Davao del Norte," the local chief executive said.

The caravan of services will also reach out residents from Barangay Magwawa on September 19 and residents of Sitio Magintalunan at Barangay New Visayas on September 20. All these three barangays were classified by the Department of Health (DOH) in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as GIDA (Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas).

Oplan TABANG is a caravan of service program for the various barangays in Davao del Norte province initiated by Governor Jubahib under Executive Order No. 2 that established the "Davao del Norte Local Peace Engagement Framework To End Local Communist Armed Conflict and Attain Lasting Peace and Sustainable Development."

It aims to deliver basic social services to 223 barangays across Davao del Norte.

The services offered under Oplan TABANG were: Health Services, Social Services, Legal Services, Animal and Health and Livestock, Roads and Infrastructures, Disaster Preparedness and Home Safety, Sports and Youth Development, Environmental and Peace Education, Crops and Fisheries, Livelihood Opportunities, Promotion of Good Local Governance, and Civic Works.

Wednesday's activity was attended by Santo Tomas Municipal Administrator Atty Elisa Evangelista-Lapina, DILG Provincial Director Abito D. Bernasor, CESO V, PNP Provincial Director PCOL Ranie P. Hachuela, AFP's 89IB LTC Silas D. Trasmontero, PLTCOL Alex M. Pamaybay of BFP, PhilHealth, DSWD, DOH, DRMC, DepEd, Kiwanis Club International and Rotary Club International and the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte headed by Governor Edwin I. Jubahib.

Other officials who also took part in yesterday's culminating event were PLGU Officials, Davao del Norte Vice Governor Rey T. Uy, Board Member Janet Tanong-Maboloc, Board Member Gentiles, Board Member Lu, Board Member Relampagos and concerned departments/agencies of the provincial government. (MIO)