The Municipal Government of Paranas introduced its Open Government Partnership (OGP) program to the PEDLE Community Volunteer Teachers as part of the transition of their community work toward the new program.

Vice Mayor Eunice Babalcon, together with OGP focal person Ms. Mae Derby Babalcon, explained the purpose of OGP and its planned implementation in Poblacion 5. Vice Mayor Eunice shared that Paranas is among the local government units in Eastern Visayas recognized for its good governance practices, along with Tacloban City and Ormoc City. She reminded the volunteers that the goal is not to compete with other LGUs, but to continue improving the municipality through its own efforts and achievements.

One of the main programs presented was Makabag-o nga P5, an OGP flagship program focused on making Poblacion 5 cleaner, healthier, safer, and more livable. The program will begin with environmental activities, including the Exchange Your EcoBricks initiative, while also addressing concerns on health, nutrition, education, child protection, teenage pregnancy, disaster preparedness, and livelihood.

Vice Mayor Eunice explained that the program is not simply about giving assistance. The goal is to help families make positive changes and become more responsible in improving their own situation. She emphasized the principle, “Diri may insentibo tungod kay pobre; mayda insentibo tungod kay mayda pagbag-o.” Incentives will be connected to actual accomplishments and positive changes made by participating families.

The PEDLE volunteers will serve as community motivators and guides. They will help organize families into small groups, provide learning sessions, monitor their progress, and assess their accomplishments. The program will follow the cycle of listen, learn, act, verify, reward, and sustain.

The volunteers also shared their views about the program. They saw it as a good opportunity to help families in Poblacion 5, especially after seeing the condition of some residents and young people during their community visits. They also identified cooperation and changes in people’s behavior as possible challenges in carrying out the program.

Vice Mayor Eunice Babalcon encouraged the volunteers to bring a positive attitude and treat the work as a personal mission. She reminded them that transformation should not only happen among the families they will serve, but also within themselves.

Ms. Mae Derby Babalcon also reminded the volunteers that the program may seem big and challenging, but it can be started through small and consistent steps. She emphasized commitment, patience, and hard work in helping the people of Poblacion 5.