Philippine Army brings gov’t services to Aklan’s most remote barangay
BRINGING GOV’T SERVICES. Army troopers from the 82nd Infantry Battalion cross the Aklan River to bring government services to Barangay Dalagsa-an in Libacao, Aklan on June 15, 2025. (Photo courtesy of 82IB, Philippine Army)
ILOILO CITY — A three-day Serbisyo Caravan by various government agencies has, for the first time, reached the remotest barangay of Libacao, Aklan after a long and arduous journey that started on June 15.
“This Serbisyo Caravan, a convergence of government agencies and community partners, enabled the residents of Dalagsa-an, a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area in Libacao, to access essential government services often beyond their reach,” said Lt. Col. Jovert Pimentel on Wednesday.
Pimentel is the commanding officer of the 82nd Infantry Battalion of the 3rd Division of Philippine Army.
He said the activity from June 15 to 18 brought P2 million to P3 million worth of services.
The largest aid was done through the release of P600,000 worth of initial fund for the integrated organic farming project of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit.
“The total project costs P1.2 million, so the remaining funds will be released once they achieve their milestone,” Pimentel added.
Meanwhile, 197 beneficiaries received free medical check-ups, 45 children received free circumcisions, 251 residents registered for their National IDs through the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and 65 residents availed of free haircuts from Army and Philippine National Police personnel.
Pimentel said army troopers carried PSA computer equipment used in the registration as many residents in the barangay lacked birth certificates and marriage contracts.
They installed Starlink connectivity in the area for the e-consultation with doctors who could not come to the venue.
There were also engagements with the youth, training on citizen arrest for barangay tanods, and action planning for sustainable livelihood program.
“For the Philippine Army, since we have a detachment there, it is also to strengthen our territorial defense posture. So, we coordinated with other agencies,” Pimentel noted.
The Serbisyo Caravan reached the barangay after crossing the Aklan River several times and trekking on difficult terrains for several hours.
Dalagsa-an, situated nearly 22 kilometers from the town proper, consists of four to five sitios, with travel between sitios taking 5 to 10 hours of arduous trek.
“That’s the most forested area here in Aklan, touching the boundary to Calinog, Iloilo. It is like a tri-boundary of Aklan, Antique and Iloilo,” Pimentel said.
Aside from volunteers, the Philippine Army hired porters, paid P700 to P1,000 each, to help carry their logistics to the mountainous barangay.
Punong Barangay Esmeraldo Orao expressed heartfelt gratitude to all participating agencies for their commitment to the community’s needs.
“This initiative reflects true public service. The people of Dalagsa-an are deeply thankful for being seen, heard and served,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, 3rd Infantry Division commander, Maj. Gen. Michael Samson, said the outreach program embodies the principle “Remote, but not forgotten.”
The activity was launched together with the provincial government of Aklan, the local government of Libacao, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the National Commission on Indigenous People. /apl
