TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, July 3 (PIA) – The conduct of a jobs fair, free legal and medical/dental services and mass feeding are among those that the provincial government has offered its residents during today’s celebration of People’s Day, here.

Dubbed as Mohammad Khalid Dimaporo (MKD) Caravan, the activity is part of the celebration of the 52nd foundation anniversary of the province set from June 18-July 4, this year.

The caravan also offered processing of applications for renewal of licenses with the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC) and applications for the security paper copy of birth certificates and certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) from the National Statistics Office (NSO).

Other government agencies that joined the caravan and rendered their services to the public are: Land Transportation Office, (LTO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education & Skills Development authority (TESDA). Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) .

“This is our way of bringing the government closer to the people. Every time we have a celebration like this, we conduct the caravan participated in by the different government agencies , so our people can be served without going to Iligan or Cagayan de Oro City where they are located,” Gov. Khalid Dimaporo said.

Focused on the theme: “Mapadayunong Kalinaw ug Panaghiusa, tulay sa Malahutayong Kalambuan,” (Continuing Peace and Unity, Bridge To Sustainable Development), the 2-week long celebrations included a long list of festivals: sports, praise, planting and harvesting, among others.

“We have made efforts to put Lanao del Norte, not only in the map of the country but also in the world map to give the message that development is taking place fast enough in our province and that our efforts have paid off,” he said.

This, as the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) game was played by Meralco versus the Alaska team at the Mindanao Civic Center (MCC), here, last June 18, and the International Motocross Competition at the MCC Motocross Field, last June 24-26.

The motocross weekend also included a freestyle motocross competition, big mountain bike challenge and boxing where “Junior flyweight king Marlon ‘d bulldozer’ Tapales, a native of Kapatagan town, this province, knocked out his formidable Thai opponent Yodpichai Sithsaithong in one (1) minute 50 seconds of the 4th round in a lopsided battle that showcased the superiority his boxing skills.”

Meanwhile, the Mindanao Football Festival also took place at the MCC Football Field from June 18-19 while competitions for “Larung Pinoy,” consisting of Filipino indigenous games, Championship Governor’s Cup in Tennis, cheer dance and hip-hop contests, dance sport and Battle of the Bands, also took place last July 1.

Nightly “Padian/Taboan” (markets) and the Agri-Aqua Livestock and One-Town, One-Product (OTOP) Fair also ran from June 26 up to July 4.

Tourism Day set on July 2 was also highlighted by the parade and showdown of festivals from six (6) towns, with participants garbed in colorful costumes, showing off the bounty of the their areas, and the Searches for Sagayan Festival Winners, as well, as Miss Lanao del Norte 2011.

Dimaporo said “Ilaw ng Lanao del Norte” (Light for Lanao del Norte), a fireworks display will cap the day’s celebration but Araw ng Lanao del Norte will culminate with a parade and a big bike road show, tomorrow morning,” Dimaporo said. (Rutchie Cabahug-Aguhob/PIA-10)