The province of Batanes holds many marvels to both tourists and locals a like. A home not only to natural forming wonders but also a home to a beautiful and kind-hearted people.
The Ivatans, the locals of the Province, are hospitable folks to both friends and strangers. They embody the very essence of hospitableness as they greet everyone they pass-by either with a nod or a smile, their homes open to everyone and an “Honesty Store” ready to serve.
The small land area of the Province did not hinder the growth of Batanes’ good-natured people. Bound to the image of the iconic stone houses, Batanes holds rich cultural history. Blessed with a landscape that can rival any foreign lands, Batanes is truly a beauty to behold.
A ‘5-in-1’ Activity
Traversing a great divide between the mainland and Batanes, the DSWD – Field Office 02 OIC – Regional Director, OIC Lucia S. Alan, answered the call of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) to join in the 2nd Regional Development Council (RDC) Meeting at Basco, Batanes. Out of the 63 members of the RDC, 40 attended the meeting. The RDC meeting was headed by its current Chairperson, the Provincial Governor of Quirino, Hon. Junie E. Cua. During the RDC meeting 9 resolutions were passed. For more information you may visit http://rdc.rdc2.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1004:rdc2-conducts-first-2018-meeting-in-cagayan-freeport&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=168.
To maximize her visit to the Province, OIC Alan arranged a ‘5-in-1’ activity. She grabbed this rare opportunity to: (1) Attend the 2nd RDC Meeting; (2) Personally Award the Plaques of Recognition to the Provincial Government of Batanes and the different Municipalities therein; (3) Have a dialogue with the LGUs; (4) Award a Centenarian check; and (5) Monitor the BuB projects and follow up on other issues and concerns in the Province with regard the programs and services of the Department.
Even with the limited time, OIC Alan successfully completed her visit bringing home a treasure trove of information on how to improve the services of the DSWD in Batanes. All throughout her stay, the OIC and her companions (the PSWDO of Batanes, Mr. Jerome Castillo and his staff, the SWAD Team Leader of Batanes, Ms. Amparo Tobias and her staff, and the Regional Executive Assistant, Mr. Leon Milan Emmanuel L. Romano) indulged in the enthralling beauty of the Province. Every scenery seemed to sweep away all fatigue empowering the OIC and her company to keep on working.
Chief amongst the many reports that the OIC had was the feedback from the different LGUs of their appreciation and contentment on the way the programs and services of the Department was implemented. In a dialogue the Provincial Governor, Hon. Marilou H. Cayco, said that they have no problem with DSWD and that they are happy with the way the Department’s services and programs are implemented. They also gave their appreciation to Ms. Tobias for her dedication and passion to work.
In ending her visit, the OIC visited different sites where the DSWD – FO 2 had funded several BuB projects such as: (1) Foot bridge; (2) Flood Control; and (3) Sea wall. Upon visiting these projects, it was found that everything was in order and that said projects serve the purpose for which they were built.
Life amidst difficulty
During the payout of the Social Pensioners in the Province, the Regional Executive Assistant, Mr. Romano, had a firsthand glance on how simple life could be in the province. At first, he thought that the simplisity of life meant poverty. He was proven wrong when he learned of the resilience of the people of Batanes and when shown the difference between meeting one’s needs as against one’s wants. In a casual conversation, Mr. Romano asked if there really were no poor people in Batanes. A PSWDO Staff responded and said, there are, but as long as you are willing to work, you will never go hungry.
The Ivatans, he found, were simple folks who knew what they needed and know very well how to prioritize. However, despite this admirable trait, special attention is sought for the elderly where some of them have no other family to lean on to. As old age creeps slowly, it is the government’s duty to ensure that the elderly are secured. ### By: Leon Milan Emmanuel L. Romano, Regional Executive Assistant, Office of the Regional Director