Some 1,485 indigenous peoples (IPs) from three villages in Montevista town, Davao de Oro, availed of various government services from a caravan facilitated by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Tuesday.

In a statement Wednesday, Jail Chief Insp. Jul Akbar Jamiri of the BJMP District Jail-Montevista said the program forms part of the bureau’s 12th-year celebration of community relations service (CRS).

“We thank the concerted efforts of the partner national government agencies, provincial and local government units, and private sectors for extending their profound support throughout the program,” Jamiri said.

Anchored on the theme “Matayag na Ugnayan ng Pamayanan at Piitan, Daan tungo sa Ligtas at Maunlad na Bayan,” Jamiri said the caravan focused on bringing government services closer to the people, especially those residing in vulnerable areas.

The IPs are residents of Barangays Camantangan, New Sibolan and New Dalaguete, who benefited from the feeding program, distribution of school bags and slippers for students, free civil registration of the Philippine Statistics Authority, medical checkups and legal consultation, among others.

Maniguon Herminio Opao, the municipal tribal chieftain, said they were surprised that BJMP initiated the caravan knowing that they rendered most of their services to persons deprived of liberty.

“We are happy that they extended their help to our tribe,” he said in the vernacular, describing the BJMP-Montevista as “an agent of change.” (PNA)