Third set of Caraga
COVID-19 samples tested negative
BUTUAN
CITY, Apr. 1 -- Department of Health – Center for Health and Development
(DOH-CHD) Caraga received the results of the third set of samples sent to the
Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). All five samples tested negative
for COVID-19.
“Although
results are favorable, this does not mean that we should be complacent. There
is so much to do to halt the spread of this disease. I urge everyone to
continue to stay at home, maintain physical distancing, regularly wash hands,
observe proper cough etiquette and adapt healthy habits to strengthen your
defenses against infection,” said DOHD-CHD Caraga regional director Jose R.
Llacuna, Jr.
As of
this time, there are still pending laboratory results. There are 13 remaining
patients under investigation (PUIs) with one recorded death (with pre-exising
medical condition). There are also 7,676 total persons under monitoring (PUMs)
wherein 6,623 were cleared and done with the isolation period, as of March 31,
2020.
“We
thank our partners from the local government units (LGUs), uniformed personnel,
health workers, volunteers and other stakeholders for their strong will and
determination to combat COVID-19. The extensive measures set by the LGUs should
be followed. Remember that anyone can be infected. Let us not lower our guards
but sustain our heightened efforts instead,” Dr. Llacuna said. (DOH-CHD
Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
PDI intensifies
fishery law enforcement with patrol boats from BFAR
By Salve
Mordeno-Dinolan
The
initiative is under the FB Pagbabago Program, which is designed to provide
modern and disaster-resilient fishing boats and resource-appropriate fishing
gears.
The
said program spearheaded by BFAR national director Eduardo B. Gongona also
supports Department of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar’s Masagang Ani at
Mataas na Kita approach to uplift the economic status of both Filipino farmers
and fisherfolk.
Cong.
Ecleo thanked DA-BFAR for responding to their request and for the agency's
constant support to the local government. He also promised the beneficiaries to
provide the outrigger of the patrol boats.
In his
message, Balambao assured the beneficiaries that DA-BFAR will continue to
support the livelihood projects of Dinagat and its enforcement of fishery laws.
"We
are thankful for the support of the Cong. Ecleo and of BFAR. We now have a boat
to catch and stop illegal fishing activities," Punong Barangay Gumamera
responded.
PLtCol
Ballangan added that the Maritime Group in Caraga is always ready to assist
BFAR in curbing illegal fishing activities in Dinagat and the entire region. (BFAR-Caraga/VLG/PIA-Surigao
del Norte)
BFAR-13 holds
training on preparation of unified fisheries ordinance
By
Venus L. Garcia
It was
attended by the local chief executives, vice mayors, Sangguniang Bayan
chairperson on agriculture, municipal agriculturists, agricultural
technologists for fisheries, municipal environment and natural resource
officers together with representatives from the Provincial Agriculture Office
and BFAR Provincial Fisheries Office.
Provincial
Agriculturist Oswaldo T. Borja, in his message, reminded the participants
of the local government units' (LGUs') responsibility as cited in the Section
16 of the Philippine Fisheries Code as amended by RA 10654, which states that
the municipal government shall have the jurisdiction over municipal waters.
LGUs shall be responsible for the protection, for the conservation, for the
management and utilization of all fishery and aquatic resources within
municipal waters.
“Let us
be united, let us continue working together, let us continue our battlecry -
which is to deter and totally eliminate the illegal fishing activities in our
province,” Borja said.
As one
of the resource speakers, Atty. Asis G. Perez, former BFAR national director
and currently the Senior Adviser of Tanggol Kalikasan, facilitated the
identification of the activities in the respective municipal waters that the
community wants to allow but has to be regulated as initial step in the
formulation of their respective unified fisheries ordinances.
Perez
emphasized that municipal fisheries ordinances, to be unified, should be
consistent and complementary with each other.
“It is
very important that you have this level of coordination so that the ordinances
that you have are consistent with the others,” said Perez.
The
status of the fisheries resource in Dinagat Islands with notes from Fisheries
Management Area (FMA) 8 was also reported by Joyce Baclayo, DA-BFAR National
Stock Assessment Program (NSAP) project leader, in order for the local
government units to have an overview of their resource.
Meanwhile,
chief aquaculturist Sandra Victoria R. Arcamo of DA-BFAR Central Office
discussed the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management wherein she emphasized
that “conservation is finding a balance between ecological well-being and human
well-being through good governance for future generations.”
Arcamo
also said that at least 15 percent of the total municipal waters should be set
aside for marine protected areas (MPAs).
The
legal framework for the delineation and delimitation of municipal waters and
the importance of delineation and its methods and activities were also
presented.
“As of
February 29, 2020, we have delineated some 928 coastal cities and
municipalities in the Philippines but only 311 are certified,” said Engr. Mario
A. Princer of the Maritime Affairs Division of the Department of Natural
Resource and Environment – National Mapping and Resource Information Authority
(DENR-NAMRIA), adding that part of the FOs should be the delineation of
municipal waters as mandated by law.
Citing
the crucial role of management plan in the establishment of MPAs, Rene Zaldy
Porlaje BFAR’s Fisheries Resource Management Division said that MPA management
plan provides a direction, reduces the risk of uncertainties, and reduces
overlapping and wasteful action. “It also promotes innovative ideas,
facilitates decision-making, and establishes standards for controlling,”
Porlaje added.
The
activities would be instrumental in the implementation of all fishery laws and
regulations.
Gov.
Bag-ao clarified that the unified FOs does not mean a single fisheries
ordinance for the entire province. It means that they have seven ordinances
with similar provisions, in terms of enforcement and regulation, and definition
of illegal fishing. It should also reflect the unique features of their
respective municipalities, as these will be the bases for the development ofthe
Provincial Coastal Resource Management Plans and Programs.
“After
this, the next challenge is how we are going to design our capital investments.
We just want to lay down the foundation of what type of capital and business we
are going to embark on depending on the nature of your fishery ordinances and
to that of your partnership with the fisherfolk. You protect, you earn - that
will be our theoretical framework in the province,” Gov. Bag-ao underscored.
Moreover,
according to Deprtment of the iInterior and Local Government (DILG) provincial
Director Domingo E. Bulabog the MC 2018-59 reiterates the existing national
policy to ensure that LGUs must play an active role in coastal resource
management (CRM), to hold them accountable to their action and inaction towards
the monitoring and regulation of fisheries activities and serve as a reminder
and ensure that the law is strictly enforced, followed and implemented.
It can
be recalled that last year, the Regional Bureau held the Fisheries Law
Enforcement Training for Local Chief Executives and Other Official in the same
province. (BFAR-Caraga/VLG/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
DOST awards compliant
food establishments in Siargao Island
By
Venus L. Garcia
Of the
53 food establishments that voluntarily went through the process of inspection,
27 have highly conformed with the food safety standards and received a grade
“A” equivalent to an excellent rating and “B” for very satisfactory.
Seven
restaurants and three eateries obtained a grade of A; and 10 restaurants, six
eateries, and one homestay garnered a grade of B after the last inspection.
During
the awarding ceremony, DOST Secretary Fortunato dela PeΓ±a emphasized the
importance of food safety in public health and tourism industry, particularly
in Siargao Island which is known to be one of the leading tourist destinations
in the Philippines.
“By
maintaining this kind of quality of facilities and services, the
owners/operators will continue to get more clients and the tourists who came
from all over the world can spread the word about which places are excellent to
go. This grading system will really help them,” said Sec. Dela PeΓ±a.
Jose
Rose Tekseth, owner of Pamomoan Beach Resort in Del Carmen, Siargao said it is
really helpful and advantageous, as they were able to determine the aspects
that need to be improved in order to meet the standards.
“I am
very glad that we are recognized and rated excellent and that our efforts have
borne fruit. We are proud to deliver the best services to our customers,”
said Tekseth.
Del
Carmen Mayor Proserfina Coro also acknowledged the DOST for implementing
measures for food safety and for ensuring the cleanliness of food
establishments on the island.
"We
thank the DOST for providing us the technical assistance such as trainings, consultancy
and monitoring. The evaluation of food establishments really helped the
business operators in improving their services, especially in the preparation
and handling of foods," Coro said.
Evelyn
Lao Singuan, owner of the King Crab restaurant, also noted a significant
increase in their daily sales and said they got positive feedbacks from their
customers. Her business got an ‘A’ rating for excellence in cleanliness and
food hygiene.
According
to DOST Caraga regional director Dominga Mallonga, the FEIGS helps to empower
the local government units (LGUs) in establishing a mechanism that encourages
food safety practices among food service establishments while providing
informed choices to customers.
“This
will also serve as a marketing leverage for them because more customers will
patronize their business upon learning the kind of standard they maintained. It
only proves the effectiveness of FEIGS project which bares the tagline, ‘clean
places, safe food, happy customers.’ And so with happy customers, there are no
complaints,” said Mallonga.
The
implementation of which started in March 2018 has garnered more than 85 percent
approval, as conducted in nine partner LGUs in Siargao Islands. There are 1,002
inspectors and food handlers who were trained on Food Safety.
After
piloting the FEGS project in Siargao Island, Mallonga said that they are indeed
in the process of implementing the same to the other areas in the region.
"We
are optimistic that more LGUs here in Caraga will opt to apply the FEIGS
project in their locality. As part of our expansion plan, we will also come up
with a different checklist as a basis for the evaluation and monitoring
intended for the ambulant vendors, especially those stalls selling street
foods, because they also need to comply with the sanitation standards,"
said Mallonga.
Meanwhile,
the locals were glad with the implementation of the FEIGS, as it will surely create
an impact for ecotourism opportunities in the island.
“As a
consumer, we only want to experience the satisfaction in the basis of food and
service quality, physical environment, and hygiene and cleanliness. Food
service sanitation is one of the important factors that we consider when we
decide to eat in food establishments. With FEIGS, we are assured of consuming
the clean and safe foods,” said Meryrose Macabodbod, student of Oguing Navarro
Memorial National High School in Sayak, Del Carmen.
FEIGS
is a research and development project and a proactive measure which aims to
prevent the occurrence of food poisoning outbreaks as a consequence of
unhygienic conditions and practices in food handling. (Venus L.
Garcia/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Food establishments
sa Siargao na pumasa sa inspeksyon, kinilala
By
Venus L. Garcia
LUNGSOD
NG SURIGAO, Surigao del Norte, Marso 31 (PIA) -- Matapos ang puspusang training
at inspeksyon sa mga kainan sa Siargao Island, kinilala ng Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) Caraga ang food establishments na pumasa sa Food
Establishment Inspection at Grading System o FEIGS. Ito ang kauna-unahang
food grading system sa bansa.
Ang
FEIGS ay isang research at development project at proactive measure na
naglalayong tugunan ang problema sa food poisoning dahil sa maling food
handling.
Sa
awarding ceremony, binigyang diin ni DOST Secretary Fortunato dela PeΓ±a
ang kahalagahan ng food safety sa public health at tourism industry,
lalung-lalo na sa Siargao Island na kabilang sa top tourist destinations ng
bansa.
Sa 53
food establishments na boluntaryong sumailalim sa pagsusuri, 27 ang nagpakita
ng husay pagdating sa sanitation standards.
Binigyan
ng grade "A" ang mga nakakuha ng excellent rating at "B"
para sa very satisfactory.
Ayon
kay Jose Rose Tekseth, may-ari ng Pamomoan Beach Resort sa Del Carmen, Siargao,
malaking pakinabang para sa kanila ang FEIGS dahil sa pamamagitan nito ay
natugunan nila ang kung ano ang nararapat para pumasa sa standards.
“Sobrang
saya namin dahil nagbunga na rin ang aming pagpupursige na pumasa sa criteria
ng FEIGS. Proud din kami na maibigay ang malinis at mahusay na serbisyo sa
aming mga customers,” sabi ni Tekseth.
Samantala,
nagpapasalamat naman si Del Carmen Mayor Proserfina sa DOST sa pagpapatupad ng
food safety measures upang masiguro ang kalinisan ng food establishments sa
isla.
"Maraming
salamat DOST sa technical assistance gaya ng trainings, consultancy and
monitoring. Malaking tulong talaga ito sa mga business operator upang mapabuti
ang pagproseso at paghahanda ng mga pagkain,” sabi ni Coro.
Napansin
din anya ni Evelyn Lao Singuan, may-ari ng King Crab restaurant, na tumaas ang
sales nila at nakatanggap ng positibong feedbacks galing sa kanilang mga
customer. Ang kanyang negosyong kainan ay nakakuha ng ‘A’ rating dahil sa
excellent ito sa cleanliness at food hygiene.
“Magsisilbi
ito bilang marketing leverage dahil mas maraming customers ang tumangkilik sa
kanilang negosyo nang malaman ang uri ng standard na kanilang ipinakita.
Patunay ito sa tagline ng FEIGS project na ‘clean places, safe food, happy customers.’
At kung masaya ang mga customer wala rin maririnig na reklamo ang mga may-ari,”
sabi ni Mallonga.
Ang
implementasyon ng FEIGS na nagsimula noong March 2018 ay nakakuha ng mahigit 85
percent approval. Ito ay isinagawa sa siyam na partner LGUs sa Siargao Island.
Mayroon itong 1,002 inspectors at food handlers na sinanay sa Food Safety.
Ayon
kay Mallonga ay panaghahandaan na rin ng kanilang ahensiya ang pagpapatupad ng
FEIGS sa iba pang mga probinsiya at lungsod sa rehiyon.
Ikinasaya
naman ng mga taga-Siargao ang tugon ng mga lokal na pamahalaan sa nasabing
proyekto.
“Dahil
sa FEIGS, nakakasiguro tayong mga customers na malinis at ligtas tayo sa ating
kinakain,” sabi ni Meryrose Macabodbod, studyante ng Oguing Navarro Memorial
National High School, Sayak, Del Carmen.
Ang
FEIGS ay research at development project at proactive measure na naglalayong
maiwasan ang food poisoning outbreaks na maaring sanhi ng hindi maayos na
paghahanda ng pagkain at maling pamamaraan ng food handling. (VLG/PIA-Surigao
del Norte)
DOST-SEI announces 9,788 new
S&T scholarship qualifiers
BUTUAN
CITY, Apr. 1 -- A total of 9,788 graduating senior high school students will
have a reason to celebrate as they clinch a slot in the country’s premier
science scholarship programs – the Department of Science and Technology -
Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Scholarship Programs.
Out of
the total number of passers, 5,917 qualified as scholars under the RA 7687
Scholarship Program, which provide for academically talented students who
belong to economically disadvantaged families; while 3,871 qualified under the
DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program.
The
2020 DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Examination, which was held on October
20, 2019 in 347 test centers nationwide, hit a record-breaking 102,526
examinees.
Dr.
Josette T. Biyo, DOST-SEI director, said the scholarships will provide greater
opportunity to students especially to those who are hard up in life as they
pursue a college science degree.
“This
scholarship program is certainly a package of opportunities as qualifiers,
especially those who are underprivileged, will get to continue their education
in leading universities and colleges. We are hopeful that they, four or five
years from now, will undertake productive efforts in the areas of research and
development, industry and innovation, and S&T services.” Dr. Biyo said.
The new
S&T scholars will receive a monthly stipend at P7,000; tuition fee subsidy
up to P40,000 per academic year for those who are enrolled in private
universities and colleges; book allowance; MS/PE clothing allowance (one-time
only); one economy-class roundtrip fare per year for those studying outside of
their home province; outright thesis allowance; and group accident
insurance.
The
scholarship qualifiers must pursue a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in
any of the priority fields of study at a state university or college or any
private higher education institution that is recognized by Commission on Higher
Education as Center of Excellence or Center of Development or with FAAP Level
III accreditation for the BS program that he/she intend to enroll in.
The list of priority S&T programs can be found on the SEI website: www.sei.dost.gov.ph.
DOST-SEI
scholars are required to render service in the country along their fields of
specialization after graduation for a period equivalent to the number of years
they enjoyed the scholarship as a return service.
“We
believe that through the different scholarship programs of DOST-SEI, we are
helping infuse a new blood of talent and skills into our workforce as well as
supply a fresh breed of responsible citizens who use science in their daily
lives. Now more than ever, we need young people to serve as ambassadors of
science as the issues we face in terms of natural disasters, health pandemics,
and others rely on sound scientific information to make better decisions for
the public good,” Biyo added. (DOST-STII/PIA-Caraga)
U.S. commits P139M
assistance for COVID-19 response in PH
BUTUAN
CITY, Apr. 1 -- The United States (U.S.) Embassy in the Philippines announced
recently that the U.S. government has committed more than P139 million ($2.7
million) to support the Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) in its response
to COVID-19 in the country.
The
U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID),
will collaborate with Philippine government counterparts to establish and
implement internationally-recognized infectious disease threat prevention and
response strategies, and enhance infection control.
U.S.
assistance will strengthen specimen transport systems and laboratory capacity
to accurately and rapidly detect cases. The assistance will also help protect
health workers and patients by ensuring that hygiene products, masks, waste
management supplies, and other necessary commodities are available, delivered,
and managed appropriately.
Moreover,
the U.S. government supported programs will expand communities’ disease
preparedness and access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services and
commodities. (U.S. Embassy in the Philippines/PIA-Caraga)
Balikatan 2020 exercise cancelled
due to COVID-19 threat
BUTUAN
CITY, Apr. 1 -- The United States (US) Indo-Pacific Command has cancelled the
exercise “Balikatan 2020” which was initially set on May 4 to 15 in the
Philippines to ensure the health and safety of the participating forces and the
locals in the communities near the planned training areas.
The
exercise cancellation is in accordance with the international travel
restrictions implemented by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as well
as the Republic of the Philippines in response to the outbreak of
COVID-19.
“In
light of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding COVID-19 pandemic and
in the best interest of the health and safety of both countries’ forces,
it is prudent to cancel Balikatan 2020,” said Adm. Phil Davidson,
commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
“We
remain deeply committed to our long-standing alliance and friendship,” he
added.
Balikatan
is an annual exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and the United
States, and involves participation from Australia. The United States and
the Philippines have shared values and enjoy a warm relationship deeply
rooted in history, and the U.S. remains committed to the U.S.-Philippines
Mutual Defense Treaty.
The
DoD’s priorities remain the protection of service members, their families,
and the department’s civilian work force; safeguarding and maintaining the
ability to defend the nation and its interests; and supporting allies and
partners in this fight. (U.S. Embassy in the Philippines/PIA-Caraga)
Curfew hours
violators arrested in Siargao Island
SIARGAO
ISLANDS, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 1 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) in
Caraga region remains strict in the implementation of curfew hours, social
distancing, and suspension of mass gathering to prevent the spread of the
coronavirus disease (COVID-19), yet another violators in the community were
arrested by partying in General Luna, Siargao Islands.
PNP
Caraga regional director Brigadier General Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr, said that
the police officers responded immediately upon receiving a report that a group
of individuals, some are foreigners, gathered in a resort and having a drinking
spree despite social distancing rule is still in effect amid COVID-19 outbreak.
There were seven of them who were apprehended.
“We
urge the public to take seriously the curfew being implemented especially that
we are under a community quarantine. Anyone who fails to observe this
regulation requiring people to remain indoors will be dealt with accordingly,”
Esquivel said.
General
Luna is known for its reputation as the “Surfing Capital of the Philippines”
where the locals and tourists enjoy binge drinking and hopping at the bars and
restaurants. (PNP-Caraga/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Butuan Medical Center, mahigpit ang
precautionary measures laban COVID-19
By
Jennifer P. Gaitano
LUNGSOD
NG BUTUAN, Abril 1 (PIA) -- Mas pinaigting pa ng Butuan Medical Center (BMC)
and pagsagawa ng precautionary measures laban sa pagkalat ng coronavirus
disease o COVID-19 upang paprotektahan ang mga pasyente nito, lalung-lalu na
ang mga doktor at nurses.
Kaya
naman malaking bagay din ito sa pagpapanatiling ligtas o negatibo sa kaso ng
COVID-19 ang Caraga region. Ito ay matapos mag-negatibo sa COVID-19 ang siyam
na swab samples sa pangalawang batch ng testing sa mga patients under
investigation (PUIs) na sinuri sa Southern Philippines Medical Center sa Davao
City.
Ayon
kay Department of Health (DOH) Caraga regional director Dr. Jose Llacuna Jr.,
sa siyam na PUIs, anim nito ay naka-confined sa Caraga Regional Hospital sa
Surigao City habang ang tatlo naman ay sa Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical
Center sa Surigao del Sur.
Patuloy
naman ang paghihigpit habang ipinatutupad ang precautionary measures sa mga
checkpoints, pamilihan at lalung-lalu na sa mga ospital.
Sa BMC,
kung saan may 36 na mga doctor at 129 nurses ang patuloy na nagbibigay serbisyo
at tumututok sa kondisyon ng mga pasyente, pinapatupad na nila ang “No visitors
allowed” Policy at limitado sa isang watcher lang kada pasyente.
Ipinagbawal
na ring pumasok ang mga outpatient at may nakatalaga na itong area sa labas ng
nasabing pasilidad. Ito ay upang maiwasan ang close contact at pagkalat ng
virus.
Dumadaan
din sa thermal scanning at disinfection tent ang lahat ng indibidwal na
pumapasok sa entrance ng ospital.
Ayon
kay Paul Ritchie Pelos, head ng Quarantine Facility Unit sa Butuan Medical Center,
may isang PUI na may mild case sa kanilang ospital at dalawa naman sa
quarantine facility subalit bumubuti na ang kondisyon ng mga ito.
Dagdag
pa ni Pelos, malaking bagay ang suporta at kooperasyon ng mga mamamayan sa mga
barangay sa pagsunod sa mga health protocols at sa pagreport o pagkonsulta sa
mga health workers at frontliners sa anumang impormasyon ukol sa COVID-19.
Pinaalalahanan
din niya ang lahat para sa proper hygiene, regular na paghugas ng kamay, social
distancing at manatili sa loob ng bahay.
“Panatilihin
po nating ligtas ang ating mga sarili at pamilya laban sa COVID-19. Tayo po ay
magkaisa na mawakasan na ang pagkalat ng nasabing virus. Manatili lang po kayo
sa inyong mga tahanan habang ginagawa po naming mga frontliners ang aming
tungkulin,” ani ni Pelos. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
DAR, DSWD turn over
1.4M project in Dinagat Islands
By Daryll
M. Tumbaga
SAN
JOSE, Dinagat Islands, Apr. 1 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has
turned over recently its Convergence on Livelihood Assistance for ARBs Project
(CLAAP) in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Tubajon town and Barangay Wilson in San Jose
town, this province.
In
Barangay Sta Cruz, a total of 28 farmer-members of SAFCOCO (Sta. Cruz
Agra-Farmers Consumer Cooperative) will benefit the project. These
beneficiaries will be managing a rice trading enterprise worth P700,000.
While
in Barangay Wilson, a total of 28 farmer-members of COMCRECO (Community Credit
Cooperative) benefited the broiler production and marketing enterprise worth
P700,000.
DAR-Surigao
del Norte Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Maria Elizabeth L. De
Guzman, in her message, emphasized to the recipients the need to sustain the
project given to them.
She
said that this livelihood enterprise will give the opportunity to increase the
household income of the beneficiaries and that they should manage it well for
its sustainability.
On her
part, Mayor Simplicia P. Pedrablanca of Tubajon challenged the recipients to
make the project sustainable and productive.
She
said that this is just one of those opportunities that the government provides
intervention to deserving organizations.
Meanwhile,
on behalf of SAFCOCO, Chairperson Cepriano T. Membreve expressed their
gratefulness that finally, they receive the said project.
He
assured that they will work hard to sustain the project and prove their
gratefulness to the government especially to DAR and DSWD for giving them the
said livelihood project. (DAR-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
Surigao Norte solon
sends food aid to displaced port workers amid COVID-19 quarantine
By Noli
C. Nusog
SURIGAO
CITY, Surigao del Norte, Apr. 1 (PIA) -- Port workers at the Port of Surigao
get help anew recently as food packs were sent for their benefit, courtesy of
Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers.
It may
be recalled that the Laurente Family, a local franchisee of McDonald’s,
recently provided more than a hundred food packs for Surigao porters and
dockworkers.
Liza
Monteros, public information officer for the Office of Representative Barbers
said that though modest, the food packs were heartily given especially since it
was bought using the lawmaker’s personal funds.
“Congressman
Barbers is well aware of the difficulties faced by porters and dockworkers
unable to earn due to the COVID 19 community quarantine that’s why he
personally directed us to facilitate the distribution of food relief packs
using his personal funds,” Monteros said.
A total
of 240 food packs were distributed by volunteers from the Office of Rep. Robert
Ace Barbers not just to porters and dockworkers but to janitors and security
guards as well who were also forced to work reduced hours, if not temporarily
displaced. A travel ban in Surigao City and the province of Surigao del Norte
is in effect while a community quarantine is imposed to contain the spread of
COVID 19. (PPA-PMO/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
