BUTUAN CITY – The Team Balikatan Rescue in emergency (TeamBRE) project is now implemented in Caraga Region. Caraga region is one of the two pilot areas to implement the TeamBRE project, the other one is region 8.

TeamBRE is implemented in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur to cover 12 barangays only. Hiantuan has 24 barangays.

Ms. Golda Pocon, focal person of TeamBRE in Caraga region explained t hat the project is meant for fishermen because they are the most affected by disasters, in terms of income source and risk of lives.

At this early stage of implementation, DSWD Caraga conducted an orientation on July 23, 2013 here in Butuan City with partner agencies and the recipient municipality in order to know the rationale and the dynamic of the project. The objectives of the orientation were the following: 1) regional and municipal social welfare and development office implementers will be guided by the bureau’s project technical staff in the management of cases and the pilot project; 2) to provide venue for the project implementers and partners to be oriented about the project; 3) to identify possible programs and services for the beneficiaries and update commitments of the project partners for inclusion in the memorandum of agreement.

DSWD Caraga director Minda B. Brigoli reiterated the government’s vision of inclusive growth. She said the government is serious in its provision of services to different sectors such as the fisher folks. She urged the agencies involved to continue to converge in providing services to the sector. ###