Mindanaotoday.com | NorMin Dagyaw tackles issues on health, education, gov’t services
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Aimed at establishing transparency and building mutual trust, the Department of the Interior and Local Government-10 (DILG-10) provided a venue for dialogue on national and local issues among government and non-government stakeholders through the Dagyaw town hall meeting.
In line with the celebration of Local Government Month, DILG-10 spearheaded the event with the goal of strengthening the programs and bringing the services effectively to the citizenry.
Wilhelm Suyko, DILG-10 regional director, invited everyone to engage in discourse concerning the government’s programs and services, further emphasizing the importance of participatory governance in nation-building.
“We in the DILG, will ensure good participatory governance through the implementation of well-formulated and strong policies. Hence, through Dagyaw, let us build a better and stronger nation together,” said Suyko.
Youth participation in good governance
Recognizing the importance of involving the youth and providing them with a more creative way of promoting governance, several activities were pursued and conducted which were participated by representatives from various schools in the region.
Three of which were the poster-making contest that highlighted Good Local Governance Practices, the Audio-Visual Presentation (AVP) Contest that portrayed life-changing stories on Good Local Governance, and the song-writing composition that showcased and described exemplary local leaders.
Alongside the various activities, partner agencies from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Social Security System (SSS), and the Department of Agriculture (DA) also opened their exhibits for the public to promote their programs and services in working towards government transparency and accountability.
‘Bayanihan’ amidst crisis
This year’s Dagyaw invited speakers and experts from DOH, DepEd, and DSWD, and provided the participants with a platform to promote and explain their initiatives and current services highlighting issues on health, education, and government services.
DOH-10 Public Health Doctor Steffi Grace Enon highlighted that the DOH is strengthening the enforcement of the Universal Health Care Act to give the people, especially the vulnerable sector, with proper care and attention.
“What we want in the Department is that more people will benefit from the act, more services will be delivered to the people, and bigger financial protection will be given,” Dr. Enon.
Meanwhile, DepEd-10 presented the current status of the region’s education system and called for immediate action to effectively improve the learner’s skills and potential.
“With the low level of proficiency among primary students, this calls for immediate action to close learning gaps and ensure that all students have a smooth and continuous educational journey,” she said.
Further, DSWD-10 Regional Information Officer Charmaine Suzette Tadlas presented the priority programs and services offered by the department, further reminding the citizens that the DSWD will continue to provide services and assistance to individuals in crisis situations.
Dagyaw is a Hiligaynon word for “bayanihan” or togetherness which aims to bring the government closer to the people. (DILG | PIA-10)
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