USWAG Community Kitchen: Caring for Fellow Ilonggos

(by MARY GRACE CENTINO of the Local Government of Iloilo City) 

The COVID-19 pandemic took its toll in all aspects of our lives, and our City Government led by Mayor Jerry P. Trenas is resolute in the commitment NOT TO LEAVE ANY ILONGGO BEHIND.

 

But the enhanced community quarantine which restricted the movement of people in the community threatened to leave many people hungry. 

This is how the USWAG Community Kitchen (UCK) was conceived.  The UCK is an embodiment of Ilonggo resilience and compassion.  It was meant to bring together  everyone who is willing to extend anything that would keep our fellow Ilonggos from going hungry.  True to our motto, “Batò Iloilo, (Masarangan ta ini),” the UCK was the City Government’s way of reaching out to as many Ilonggos as possible during one of the bleakest periods in modern history.  By affording those who have less in life to receive their most basic need, the UCK will be able to make every one of them feel unabandoned.  As such, we are able to create ripples of compassion and motivation for Ilonggos to carry on despite the odds.  This challenge will come pass!

The UCK also allowed people from all walks of life to extend whatever they wanted to offer:  some donated cash, others provided goods, yet others simply volunteered to help in the preparation and distribution of food. 

Barangay officials, day care teachers and volunteers prepare around 8,000 to 9,000 food meals for Ilonggos even as the period of the Enhance Community Quarantine has resumed this month.  There are 135 UCKs activated in 84 poorest barangays in the City who were identified based on the records of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.  Larger barangays host several UCKs.

As the focal person of the UCK, I took it upon myself to ensure that the less fortunate Ilonggos will not be hungry. Our spirit of volunteerism was strengthened in this initiative, as we passionately cooked and served in the barangays, despite the clear and apparent threat of COVID-19. Every single individual who partook of the project bravely faced the risks to be at the forefront, helping our fellow Ilonggos. 

 

The UCK bears the principle of inclusivity which stems from the harmonious and active cooperation of every individual behind this initiative: donors, volunteers, even recipients altogether.

 

For every mouth fed thru the UCK, we appease not only the recipient’s hunger, but also our souls. We are nourished by the awareness that our small acts of kindness, lovingly extended to our fellow Ilonggos, are never wasted.

Various food supplies for distribution are sorted out for delivery to USWAG Community Kitchens in the barangays.

The various volunteers for the USWAG Community Kitchens:

301st Infantry Bayanihan Brigade

 

DILG’s e-LSI Team: Leading Ilonggos Home

(by FREDA MAE L. SORSANO of DILG Region 6)

The sudden lockdowns in various areas in the country found many fellow Ilonggos stranded. But a dedicated group of DILG Regional and Field Personnel called, Emergency Locally Stranded Individuals (e-LSI) Team, worked in the frontlines to help LSIs, ROFs and APORs report to work and/or get home.

With strategic and systematic rotation of duty, there has been a seamless provision of 24/7 (including holidays and weekends) assistance to LSIs, ROFs and APORs travelling by sea or air, and constant coordination with DILG and other NGA counterparts. The Team reports physically at the OCD during daytime and virtually until the wee hours of the morning.

The members of the e-LSI team have been working in the frontlines since the start of the Emergency Operations Center in March and report on behalf of colleagues who are unable to report on certain days.

The e-LSI team also develops and maintains an online databank to record, monitor and generate data on the number, address and other details of local and foreign returnees. They utilize technology to segregate and summarize data, which has been very helpful for LGUs in the facilitation of their LSIs/APORs/ROFs and were used in various local and national reports.

“We have a chance to do something extraordinary. As we head out of this pandemic we can change the world. Create a world of love. A world where we are kind to each other. A world where we are kind no matter what class, race, sexual orientation, what religion or lack of or what job we have. A world we don't judge those at the food bank because that may be us if things were just slightly different. Let love and kindness be our roadmap.”
                                                                                        ― Johnny Corn

Team e-LSI’s dedication and ingenuity at the time of the pandemic did not only help generate accurate data that became the basis for reports.  More importantly, they helped lead many Ilonggos home even if it meant that these lingkod bayan need to risk themselves serving at the frontlines.   

The system developed by the e-LSI team can generate real-time data on LSI, ROF and APOR arrivals as encoded by Regional and Field Officers

 

e-LSI Team's Social Media promotional campaign to assist LSIs

SIGMA RESPONSE TEAM: Heroism in the midst of the Pandemic

(by MARY ANN L. GUILLERMO, Local DRRM Assistant, of MDRRMO Sigma)

Emergency responders are real-life superheroes. They are those whose job is to respond immediately when there is an accident, an emergency or a calamity. Equally essential to the first responders are the ambulance drivers who are skilled to drive emergency vehicles to a scene, as fast and as safely as possible.

 

The Sigma Response Team (SRT) was established in November 25, 2020 to cater to the need of Sigmahanons for response during emergencies and calamities. The SRT is composed of 19 responders, 3 of those are ambulance drivers. They are trained in Emergency Medical Response (EMR) and Basic Life Support (BLS). SRT provides assistance in many medical and vehicular accidents and also calamities such as Typhoon Ursula, the first typhoon to which they responded.

 

But at the onslaught this pandemic, MDRRMO Responders became among the vital frontliners who do not only respond to emergencies but more importantly, they ensure the safety and well-being of the people they transport and aid. They assist other agencies in conducting border controls since community lockdowns were declared in March 2020. They are also the ones assigned to lead the disinfection of public places and the quarantine facilities. The MDRRMO responders and ambulance drivers also became the drivers who transported Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) from the airport to their respected quarantine facilities.  They also assist during the conduct of rapid and swab testing.

 

On September 7, 2020, at around 10:00 o’clock in the evening, while en route to Roxas City to pick up an ROF, the team figured in a vehicular accident at Ondoy Ivisan, Capiz. Mr. Darius G. Yap, the ambulance driver on duty, tried his best to avoid the oncoming vehicle --  but failed. He was pronounced dead-on-arrival in the hospital. That was his last act of heroism. Mr. Yap was a diligent and efficient driver. He was with Mr. Ernie F. Fulgencio and Mr. John Rey S. Castillon. Both responders were rushed to the hospital. Mr. Fulgencio was also declared dead at 3:40 AM, September 8. 2020 while Mr. Castillon was in a critical condition.

 

The team lost two dedicated and compassionate responders who did not renege on their duties or cower at the challenge of transporting passengers during the pandemic.  They were always ready and willing to help other people and they knew the risks entailed by their jobs.  Although their deaths may have been grim and sudden, theirs became piercing reminders of the ultimate sacrifice that some brave and selfless men and women endure in the name of public service. Sir Darius and Sir Ernie are our modern-day unsung heroes.  They died in their quest to ensure that others may live.

MR. DARIUS G. YAP-AMBULANCE DRIVER ON DUTY

MR. DARIUS YAP WHILE WAITING FOR LSIs IN ROXAS CITY AIRPORT

MR. ERNIE FULGENCIO AND THE TEAM WHILE RESPONDING IN S MEDICAL CASE

R. ERNIE F. FULGENCIO AS THE TEAM’S LEADER WHILE TRANSPORTING A PATIENT TO THE HOSPITAL

MR. JOHN REY S. CASTILLON WHILE GIVING FIRST AID TO A TRAUMA CASE

MR. JOHN REY S. CASTILLON AND MR. ERNIE FULENCIO WHILE PREPARING FOR DISINFECTION FOR COVID 19

THE TEAM CONDUCTED INVENTORY OF SUPPLIES IN PREPARATION FOR TYPHOON URSULA

MR. DARIUS G. YAP AND THE TEAM WHILE CONDUCTING OCULAR INSPECTION OF THE FLOODED AREAS DURING TYPHOON URSULA

THESE 3 PICTURES WERE TAKEN DURING RELIEF OPERATIONS FOR TYPHOON URSULA

(The lone survivor of the incident, JOHN REY SAMSON CASTILLON is Casual Volunteer Responder. ERNIE FULGENCIO FULGENCIO was a Casual Volunteer Responder, while DARIUS GARBE YAP was a Casual Volunteer Driver (Ambulance).)

COURAGE IN AN INN

(by Leenard M. Cristobal, HRMO III of LGU Kalibo)

I cannot help but take my hats-off to a colleague for her extraordinary courage and dedication towards work despite the threat of COVID-19. Ms. Annielyn Peralta-De Martin is a Utility Worker of the Local Government Unit of Kalibo, assigned at the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Division (TCAD) of the LGU owned tourist inn, the Ati-atihan County Inn (ACI).

With tourist arrivals indicating an appalling decline, ACI’s operation became grossly affected. Thus, LGU Kalibo proactively made a U-turn by utilizing ACI as the central quarantine facility catering Kalibohon Returning Overseas Filipinos and Locally Stranded Individuals.

This pandemic, posing extreme risks, demands commitment that would serve the public’s best interests. Ms. De Martin was among the pioneers of the ACI. She has been with the Inn since it was established 10 years ago, working wholeheartedly. Then, the pandemic happened.

Ms. DeMartin rose to the challenge of a greater responsibility: to lead her team into a battle with the unseen. 

Since TCAD’s division chief was on maternity leave from the early stages of community lockdowns until July this year, the ACI needed a substitute Manager. Given Ms. De Martin’s experience and track record, the exigency of service required her to take the role of an “ACI manager” alongside her tasks as utility worker. Her immediate supervisor, the Tourism Operations Officer, supported the set-up so Ms. De Martin had to work extended hours and also report to the Inn even on her rest days when necessary. For one whose routine as utility worker has spanned ten long years, additional tasks on top of her regular functions can be truly daunting. But for Ms. De Martin, she willingly and wholeheartedly performed all that was necessary, even to the extent of taking extra miles, just to ensure that the LSIs and OFWs housed in the Inn are well and properly accommodated. 

With the sterling leadership of Mayor Emerson S. Lachica of LGU Kalibo, and Ms. De Martin leading the ACI team, working and collaborating with partner health authorities to strictly enforce health and safety protocols, the ACI as a quarantine facility, has comfortably and safely provided refuge to many Kalibonhons who were battling the threat of this unseen enemy.

Courage is found in unlikely places, according to J.R.R. Tolkien. For the Ati-atihan Country Inn, it’s found in a woman named Ms. Annielyn Peralta-De Martin.

Annielyn with her fellow frontliners at the Ati-atihan County Inn, taking a bit of time for photo opportunity while monitoring the quarantine facility and ensuring its compliance to health and safety standards.

Annielyn meticulously preparing the room and food for ROFs/LSIs at the Ati-atihan County Inn 

(ANNIELYN PERALTA-DE MARTIN is an Administrative Aide I (Utility Worker I) for the Ati-Atihan Country Inn under LGU Kalibo)

Fighting Fear with Facts

 (by MA. LUCY M. SINAY, City Information Officer, Iloilo City Government)

It has always been said that information is power. This has never been truer in my job as I face the challenge of ensuring that accurate information is disseminated to the Ilonggo public in this time of global health crisis.

I have seen how vital it is to give the public correct information and provide them with legitimate sources of news so as not to unduly cause panic and fear.

While some people work from home under the new normal, I report to the office Monday to Friday, but do my work almost 24/7 as the flow of information from the City Government to the public should be unhampered. There are press releases to be written, announcements and policies to be posted, news and information to be fed to the media, and IEC materials to be made. There is also the conduct of either face-to-face or virtual press conferences with the City Mayor.

 

I believe if people are aware of things happening around them, then they can overcome their fear of COVID-19, become more responsible and selfless, and be more cooperative especially in complying with health protocols. People will also be empowered to make sound decisions regarding the health and safety of their families and communities.  Elia Kazan wrote, "Whatever hysteria exists is inflamed by mystery, suspicion and secrecy. Hard and exact facts will cool it." 

Apparently, hysteria is the enemy of this new normal.  And the only way to subdue it is by fighting fear with facts.

Regular Press Conference with members of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps at the Mayor’s Office.

DOST: Building a Resilient Countryside

(by Ma. ALICIA SOLEDAD A. SALAZAR of DOST Region VI)

At the height of the pandemic, many frontliners had to grapple with the masses for available PPE, face shields particularly.  DOST VI’s team of volunteers organized by Mia Pielago started the production of improvised face shields for use of frontline workers in Western Visayas.

The production of the face shields which started when Iloilo City was put on a lockdown, yielded a total of 1,220 improvised face shields.  These were donated to health care facilities, particularly government hospitals, as well as government offices in Western Visayas. 

The project was posted on DOST VI’s social media account.  Subsequently, DOST VI’s social media followers became interested in making their own improvised face shields which they wanted to distribute for free to other frontliners in hospitals, quarantine facilities, and even in the border controls. Thus, Mia’s team made a video tutorial for Making of an Improvised Face Shield.   The video must have been convenient and helpful for the viewers so much so that it garnered 23.2K views, 266 reactions, and 448 shares on Facebook.

The threat of CoVID-19 has forced all of us to change our daily activities such as working from home or closing businesses and for some, getting worried about their jobs especially for daily paid workers or those who have "no work, no pay."  As part of DOST VI’s community outreach and helping out the program during the ECQ, Mia Pielago initiated with the members of the DOST VI Cooperative the distribution of 44 rice packs to pedicab drivers in Barangay Magsaysay Village, Lapaz, Iloilo City where DOST Region VI Office is located.  Furthermore, three (3) DOST VI canteen staff, and four (4) DOST VI maintenance personnel became recipients of the relief assistance through the DOST VI Employees Cooperative. 

Among DOST’s goals are the acceleration of technology adoption and attainment of innovation-driven economy.  With Mia and her team’s gesture of kindness and compassion, DOST VI is definitely on track towards building a resilient countryside. 

 

DOST VI's Video Tutorial for Making an Improvised Face Shield

(MIA C. PIELAGO is an Administrative Assistant III of DOST Region VI)

DILG-AKLAN's ENGR. ELI : Diamond in Government Service

(by ANIANO  RAY F. FRANCO of  DILG Region VI)

“Not gold but only men can make 

A people great and strong; 

Men who for truth and honor's sake 

Stand fast and suffer long. 

Brave men who work while others sleep, 

Who dare while others fly... 

They build a nation's pillars deep 

And lift them to the sky.” 

                                                               -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerging from a family of hardworking fisherfolks, seafarers, and builders, this lingkod bayan knows the value of commitment and diligence. Engr. Eleazar Balatucan, or Engr. Eli, to his peers in DILG Aklan, is one of the two (2) engineers assigned at the Project Development and Management Unit (PDMU) of DILG Aklan Provincial Office since 2018.

Hailing from Estancia, Iloilo Province, Engr. Eli stays in Kalibo and goes back to his hometown as often as he can.  When the lockdown was declared in March, Engr. Eli was stranded in Aklan and could not go home to his family in Estancia, Iloilo.  Since DILG’s project monitoring was suspended due to COVID-19, Engr. Eli volunteered to join the DILG OpCen which monitors the status of the LGUs in the province as far as implementation of preventive measures is concerned. Subsequently, when the Provincial Government of Aklan established its Emergency Operation Center (EOC) at the Capitol Compound, DILG was part of the manpower and Engr. Eli made himself available for the project.  He was assigned in the said EOC on a daily basis seven (7) days a week. He volunteered to be in the EOC  notwithstanding the grueling tasks and risks involved primarily because his boarding house happens to be just across the location of the EOC. Thus, for close to three (3) months, Engr. Eli was the face of the DILG in the EOC. While everyone was working-from-home, Engr. Eli was manning the EOC.

While in the EOC, he juggled facilitating linkages with stakeholders such as NGAs, LGUs and private sectors. Because of this, real time reporting thru the use of quad media effectively provided the Agency accurate and reliable data. As a volunteer, Engr. Eli took his role seriously even spending long hours  until midnight, coordinating incoming flights to the EOC. Notwithstanding the risks and the loneliness of being away from home, Engr. Eli remains steadfast in his commitment to work efficiently.

In an article entitled, “Better Virus Outcomes in Three Provinces,” published by the Manila Standard on July 06, 2020, Aklan is recognized as one of only three provinces in the country that fares better in containing the COVID-19. This is now the fruit of the exemplary collaboration of agencies in Aklan, where Engr. Eli’s selfless dedication has made an impact.

In sum, Engr. Eli is a treasure - a diamond in government service who perfectly exemplifies the values of a Matino, Mahusay and Maasahang DILG Personnel.

Engr. Balatucan during the Emergency Operations Center Meeting 

held at Aklan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office. 

(Engr. ELEAZAR BALATUCAN is an Engineer III for DILG-Aklan)

Radio Magazine: Broadcasting Hope amidst the Pandemic

(by Jake Carlyne Gonzales-Tugbang of the Schools Division of Kabankalan City)

Radio Magazine is a life-changing program for a better You. That is the promise I give my listeners and Facebook Live audience from Monday to Friday at 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The program, Radio Magazine, was conceived when I was doing a partnership program with DepEd and 91.3 News FM for the radio-based instruction of the Schools Division of Kabankalan City (Negros Occidental). The radio station offered me to hold a program that would help reach out to many who wanted more than just information in the time of the pandemic.  I promptly grabbed the opportunity.  I knew that while the program might seem challenging and tedious for me being a full-fledged government employee, doing the show would nevertheless allow me to help curtail the spread of fake news, to raise awareness, to share public information, as well as to inspire people by tackling stories of hope, wellness, and inspiration.

Since it was launched, Radio Magazine’s impact to the public has been immense and remarkable as the program is anchored in five I's: informative, interesting, interactive, intergenerational, and inspiring. The resource persons I invite are mainly fellow public servants.  They share information, experiences, and credible knowledge, as well as various significant issues. I showcase my guests by announcing first on Facebook, and holding face-to-face interview inside the radio station or through Google meet or messenger.

Since I run my own radio program, I create content that focuses on the expertise of my interviewee or guest. The topics I choose for the week include an assortment of political news, social issues, environmental concerns, economic recovery, culture, or currently trending topics. The discussions help the public learn and discover tips for self-protection, self-preservation, and self- efficiency.

Although the pandemic has caused an overwhelming level of stress and anxiety for many, Radio Magazine helps the people of Negros Occidental combat their anxiety by staying informed and being inspired.  Before the end of each show, Dr. Gladys Patindol, our Doctor-on-the-Air, provides medical information for the prevention and management of different diseases.

The lessons and insights shared by the various people I meet and interview on the program have sketched an inspiring landscape of hope that help my listeners (and Facebook audience) portray a more optimistic perspective in the midst of this pandemic.  The compassion and goodwill we depict especially as lingkod ng bayan create a channel for us to identify the vital roles we play in changing lives and communities to build a stronger and better nation.

This work-life balance enables us to provide hope and promote altruism in the name of public service.  Afterall, we concur that “what counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”(Nelson Mandela).  Indeed, by helping others lead better lives, our lives become more significant.#

Plugs for our Featured Stories

With Radio Magazine's featured guests

Ms. Jake Carlyne Gonzales-Tugbang (Ms. Jake) is a Senior Education Program Specialist of the Schools Division of Kabankalan City (Negros Occidental).