By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Thousands of residents in the upland barangays of Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental, have benefited from the Serbisyo Caravan program of Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo.
Yulo said the Serbisyo Caravan is not just a medical and dental consultation but also includes other government services from agencies such as the Philippine Statistics Authority for birth certificate registration and related concerns, PhilHealth, the Social Security System, and the Municipal Agriculture Office for livestock credentials and ownership.
The Serbisyo Caravan, held Friday in Barangay Montilla, was conducted in collaboration with 5th District Rep. Dino Yulo and Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
Yulo facilitated the participation of various government agencies, while Lacson deployed the provincial government’s mobile clinic, particularly for those who wanted free X-rays.
She said the Serbisyo Caravan has also been held in other barangays, including Macagahay, Quintin Remo, Inolingan, Odiong, and Guinpanaan.
Garcia-Yulo said that bringing government services to former rebel-influenced areas like Barangay Montilla is significant for the residents.
“We want to bring the government to the people, not the other way around,” she said.
With the Serbisyo Caravan, residents no longer have to spend money to access government services, Garcia-Yulo said.
She added that this initiative helps discourage upland residents from seeking support from other forces and instead encourages them to rely on the government.
Aside from the Serbisyo Caravan, she has prioritized the construction of roads in upland areas to spur development.
These roads provide easier access for residents to sell their farm produce in the town proper and are crucial during emergencies.
Yulo said the town’s peace and security situation is now stable compared to previous years when people avoided the streets in the early evening.
She said a sign of improved peace and order is the increasing number of business establishments, which reflects investors’ trust in the local government.
Joining the mayor in the Serbisyo Caravan were her husband, Pimpoy Yulo, along with Councilors Dowen Ogatis, Jeones Frias, Vincent Garcia, and other local officials.
They ensured that residents received health services, PSA assistance, and other government aid.
