The City Government of Isabela, under the leadership of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman, through the City Information Office (CIO), in partnership with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – Basilan, once again brought government services closer to the people as twelve (12) partner offices and agencies converged for the Barangay Information Officers’ Network (BION) Information ‘Servicio’ Caravan at Barangay Kapayawan Open Court on September 10.
A total of 110 residents and 100 learners from two schools in the barangay — Caro Elementary School (80) and Hji Maulana Primary School (20) — were served through a wide array of services offered during the caravan.
Punong Barangay Kuyung Ismael welcomed the participating offices and agencies to the community in his opening remarks, extending his heartfelt gratitude to City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman for initiating the caravan.
”Sana hindi dito nagtatapos ang programa at serbisyo para sa ating komunidad, sana ay magtuloy-tuloy ang paghahatid nila ng serbisyo sa Barangay Kapayawan,” he said.
City Information Officer and GAD Focal Person Mendry Ann Lim followed with her opening remarks, thanking the Punong Barangay and residents for welcoming the team, as well as the partner agencies who took part in the activity. She explained that the info caravan was designed to reach far-flung barangays so that residents no longer need to travel to the town proper just to avail of basic services. CIO Lim added that the caravan has already reached Barangay Masola and Barangay Lumbang, with Kapayawan marking its third leg.
Nilda Delos Reyes, Information Center Manager of PIA-Basilan, also spoke about the roots and purpose of BION, sharing how the network was established and the various activities it has carried out — underscoring the vital role BIONs play in bringing information and services down to the barangay level.
Prior to the formal opening of the service booths, Information Officer II and FOI Focal Person Shermina Sualing conducted a Freedom of Information (FOI) Awareness Session, reminding residents that they may request public documents for transparency by simply scanning the FOI QR code that are seen on FOI posters posted in their barangay.
The twelve service booths then formally opened simultaneously, offering the following:
• PESO — 47 clients availed of free job and livelihood application assistance and HEPP training
• City Civil Registry Office — 17 clients availed of free birth and death certificate registration, and mass wedding application
• City Agriculture Office — 70 clients received free seedlings and IEC materials
• CSWDO — 10 clients availed of free Senior Citizen and Solo Parent ID application
• CPDAO — 17 clients served for free PWD ID application and a brief orientation
• City Health Office (Medical and Dental Team)
– 41 clients received free mobile clinic check-ups;
– 34 clients availed of dental check-ups and;
– 50 women residents received hygiene kits from CHO
• CPMDO/CNAO — 84 clients served with free nutritious meals alongside a quick Nutri-Tips orientation
• GAD Environmental Project Team — 36 participants joined an orientation on proper waste segregation, complete with trivia questions
• PIA-Basilan — 14 clients received IEC materials
• 1101st Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army — 45 residents availed of free haircuts
• CIO Booth (FOI, Mobile Library, BION)
- 37 clients visited the FOI kiosk for an online digital registration tutorial;
- 100 learners joined the Mobile Library reading session and interactive storytelling;
- 38 clients took part in the BION trivia guess game and;
– 67 clients participated in CIO raffle draw
Also present were the PIA Central Office team led by Chief of the Administrative Division Atty. Julius De Peralta, 97.5 Nutrieskwela Radyo Komunidad, and officials of Barangay Kapayawan.
The BION Information ‘Servicio’ Caravan remains a testament to the City Government’s commitment to inclusive and accessible governance — ensuring that no barangay, however far, is left behind. It carries with it the same promise that service will always find its way to every Isabeleño, wherever they may be. (Words by S. Angging | Photos by K. Evardo).
