For residents of island barangays, accessing essential government services often means battling both distance and high travel costs.
But for 41-year-old Maria Socorro “Maricor” Duran, a resident of Brgy. San Pedro on Tubabao Island, those barriers recently vanished right at her doorstep.
During the provincial government’s SeRVisyo Caravan, Maricor successfully secured the late birth registration of her husband and obtained a national ID for her child, critical documents that had been out of reach for years due to logistical hurdles.
In the past, securing these records went through long distances.
“Harayo ma’am. Han una, kinadto pa ako ha Tacloban kay pagkuha han iya kuan ha PSA nga dire hiya registered kay dire ko naaasikaso kay harayo ngan di kumpleto an requirements,” Maricor said, recalling the frustration of traveling all the way to Tacloban City, only to return empty-handed due to incomplete paperwork and the sheer distance.
“Maupay yana ma’am it sugad hin kay aadi la mismo ha amon, diretso kami inaasikaso,” she added.
Through the Philippine Statistics Authority’s participation in the SeRVisyo Caravan, and going directly to remote communities, PSA bridges the gap for families who cannot afford the steep travel expenses or the time away from their livelihoods.
“Nagpapasalamat gud ako ma’am kay dinhi na dinaraon ha amon an mga oportunidad. Dire na kami manhihirayo, mamasahe,” she expressed with gratitude.
“Damo nga salamat kanda gov han pagkanhi. Dako nga bulig in ha amon hit mga tawo dinhi.”
By transforming tedious administrative hurdles into accessible, localized services, the provincial government continues to ensure that no Eastern Samareño is left behind, proving that genuine public service knows no distance. (SEJ-GBP)
