To fortify its advocacy and promotion efforts, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga through the Social Marketing Section and in coordination with the Sustainable Livelihood Program conducted a series of information caravans at Daku Island, General Luna, Surigao del Norte and Patin-ay, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur on February 9 and February 24, respectively.

The information caravan is an advocacy initiative of the Field Office designed to inform and educate the communities about the different programs and services. Other than this, the activity was also an effort to bring the programs and services of the Department closer to the people.

In General Luna, Regional Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga led the caravan and emphasized the need to address the community’s concerns to avoid misinformation and fake news. “Importante nga magstorya ug mapaminawan ang mga mulo ug mga pangutana sa katawhan aron insakto nga impormasyon ang ilang makuha – opisyal nga impormasyon gikan sa DSWD, aron malikayan ang fake news (It is important to discuss and listen to the people’s queries and complaints so that they will acquire right and official information from the DSWD. In this way, we can avoid fake news).”

During the activity, Regional Information Officer Marko Davey Reyes discussed the different programs and services of the agency and responded to questions and clarifications from the residents of Barangay Daku.

Further, the Field Office was provided with a space to intensify its information dissemination campaign during the Revitalized-Pulis Sa Barangay Presentation of 45 communist terrorist groups (CTG) surrenderers and 100 supporters of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (Regional Office 13).

In both activities, brochures and other information, education, and communication materials were distributed to serve as the community’s reference about the programs and services of the Department.

Earlier this year, the Field Office was also given the opportunity to share its programs and services with the student community of Father Saturnino Urios University last January 25. The said activity was a collaboration between the Social Marketing Section and Social Technology Unit’s WiSupport Program. (Social Marketing Section/DSWD Field Office Caraga)