KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato — From monthly clean-up drives to disaster response and assistance to families in crisis, members of the Reinforced Services Task Force (RST) continue to provide community-based support as partners of the Provincial Government of South Cotabato.
For Edgar Sornito, RST president of Barangay Avanceña in the City of Koronadal, his involvement in the organization has been less about personal gain and more about rebuilding an active community group and responding to the needs of residents.
“Pag-abot ko sa pagdumala, wala gid ako naghunahuna nga may daku ako nga personal nga benepisyo bilang miyembro sang RST. Ginsalo ko lang ang grupo halin sa mga nagligad nga miyembro bangod nangin inactive na ang ila grupo. Ang akon pokus amo ang pag-organisa liwat sang mga miyembro kag pagsiguro nga may klaro kag konkreto kami nga himuon para sa amon barangay,” Sornito said.
Since assuming leadership, Sornito initiated a regular Basura Attack every second Saturday of the month, involving RST members in cleaning activities throughout the barangay. The group also responds during disasters and assists residents who need medical support.
He recalled that the group recently helped a bereaved indigent family by providing a coffin and funeral services.
“Sa kada ikaduha nga Sabado sang bulan, nagahimo kami sang amon Basura Attack sa barangay. Kon may mga kalamidad, nagaresponde man kami. Kon may mga pigado nga residente nga nagakinahanglan sang bulig medikal, ginatinguhaan namon nga mabuligan sila. Bag-o lang, nagbulig man kami sa isa ka imol nga pamilya nga namatyan sang ila pinalangga, paagi sa paghatag sang bulig para sa lungon kag mga serbisyo,” he said.
Sornito said the organization could do more if additional livelihood opportunities were made available to RST members and other community residents, particularly amid rising living costs.
“Tani may mga livelihood program man para sa mga miyembro sang RST kag sa amon mga residente sa barangay. Madamo gid subong ang nagakinahanglan sang bulig bangod padayon nga nagasaka ang presyo sang mga panguna nga kinahanglanon,” he added.
Across South Cotabato, the provincial government has deployed more than 13,300 active RST members to strengthen grassroots service delivery. In September alone, nearly 1,200 RST members from T’boli, Tupi, Tantangan, and Sto. Niño were scheduled to receive their second-quarter honorarium.
Barangay Affairs Chief Dennis C. Dignadice said RST members remain important partners in connecting government programs with communities.
“RST is a community-based partner of the provincial government. Their presence allows us to reach the people at the barangay level and respond to concerns that need immediate attention,” Dignadice stressed.
Sornito also expressed appreciation for the initiative behind the RST, saying it provides residents with a direct channel to government information and assistance.
“Ginapasalamatan ko gid si Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. sa iya initiative nga mag tukod sang RST para may direct nga information sa mga katawhan,” he urged.
The BAU continues to coordinate with RST organizations across the province to strengthen their operations and sustain community-based programs and services.
