In times of uncertainty brought about by a pandemic, extending hands to others in need is crucial to the health, well-being, and stability of communities.
Amid the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID 19) pandemic, Local Government Units (LGUs) in Western Visayas keep their respective municipalities/cities safe by implementing the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
The ECQ, however, affected vulnerable sectors in terms of food and medicine.
The idea of giving support, especially to frontliners, may seem daunting at first but there are plenty of ways to do it.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 was able to send help to those in need around Western Visayas.
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Aklan province headed by Merlene Baldevia Aborka led the distribution of food packs and COVID-19 Protection Kit to the “environmental warriors” of Kalibo, Aklan, recently.
Included in the food packs were 2 kilos of rice, 1 dozen longganisa and 10 pieces fresh eggs that were distributed to 62 warriors/beneficaries: 48 from the Kalibo Ecological Solid Waste Management Crew and 14 from PENRO Aklan employees.
All beneficiaries still conduct their routine operations despite the threat of COVID 19 pandemic, collecting the community’s wastes to ensure the town’s cleanliness and maintain good health of Kalibonhons.
The COVID-19 Protection Kit, which includes face masks, detergent bar, soap, bleach, multivitamins (Iron), paracetamol and COVID 19 fact sheet, were distributed by PENRO Aklan to Ibajay and Malinao People’s Organizations, barangay officials of Bachao Sur, Kalibo, TESDA and PENRO Aklan skeletal workforce who reported for duty from April 12-15, 2020.
“Our garbage collectors, janitors, maintenance crew and others who keep their respective areas clean wherever they are assigned seemed to have been forgotten that they too are frontliners. They are actually risking their lives and are also our modern day heroes. They too deserve our support,” DENR-6 regional executive director Francisco E. Milla Jr. said, as he acknowledged the act of kindness done by PENRO Aklan.
