Convergence caravan took Llorente folks by storm

By NINFA B QUIRANTE, PIA Borongan
September 10, 2011

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  The convergence caravan brought by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) stormed Llorente town on September 9, 2011.

Although Mayor Tito Codoy admitted he was surprised that he has to prepare many things for the visitors, he was equally elated that his 3rd class municipality was chosen for the project.

As early as seven in the morning of Friday, the menfolk of upstream barangays started milling aroung asking for the different services being offered by the activity.

Even if the DSWD top notch officials were still travelling to this coastal town, services like medical check up with free medicines, TESDA skills demonstrations, Avon pangkabuhayan showcase, advance payment for Cash for training/work, and Self Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K) products sale and display and supplemental feeding for day care children were already taking place.

As the guests poured into the spacious Llorente Sports Complex, the program started where DSWD Regional Director Letecia Diokno said that they wanted to inform the public that the “three big projects” of DSWD have landed in town and several Lanangnons (people from Llorente) are enjoying the fruits of SEA-K, KALAHI-CIDSS, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Similarly, Director Ed Gonzaga of the health department told the audience that PhilHealth is nearing the complete enrolment of indigents in Eastern Samar.

“Conditional Cash Transfer (aka 4Ps) are enrolled in PhilHealth,” Gonzaga said.

This was confirmed by Mayor Codoy. “With 4Ps, less people ask for medicines from the LGU,” the mayor beamed.

As to the nutrition corner, Dina Dilao of the nutrition council made the mayors present happy when she announced that most Eastern Samar towns have registered a decline in malnutrition by half.

She mentioned specifically the towns of Llorente and Gen Macarthur, both mayors were present, Codoy the host mayor and Mayor Jaime Ty of Gen MacArthur.

Dilao punctuated her presentation by urging the barangay chairmen to provide weighing scales to their Barangay Nutrition Scholars.

The activity ended with testimonials from a teacher, health worker and a barangay chairman the improvement in the lives of the 4Ps beneficiaries.

Usec Mateo Montano in his message urged the beneficiaries of the program to value the government assistance. He also assured them of the continuous assistance from the Aquino government.