Distributes relief goods and vegetables produced by local farmers
Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur / May 2020 – Following its successful distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) consisting of N95 face masks, face shields and surgical and examinations gloves to support COVID-19 frontliners in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region, TVI Resource Development Philippines Inc. (TVIRD) conducted a dedicated outreach to those most affected by the loss of livelihood during the COVID-19 pandemic – and these are its host and neighboring communities in Bayog Town.
Recently, TVIRD rolled-out a weeklong food distribution program and reached-out to almost 5,000 families in the municipality’s 11 barangays. The company’s site personnel and officers distributed food packs in an effort to alleviate the residents’ difficulties brought about by the imposition of a General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in Mindanao.
“This relief operation is TVIRD’s response during this public health emergency – to share the people’s burden and somehow allay their fears,” said Project Manager Engr. Hilario Gingo, Jr.
According to the official report of the company’s Community Relations Office, the program benefitted residents of households within the immediate vicinity of TVIRD’s mine camp as well as those in secondary impact barangays that are adjacent to its host community.
“No one from the host and secondary barangays were left behind in our relief efforts. All were given food packs consisting of rice, vegetables, canned goods and noodles, especially the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). They were given special attention since they are limited to their homes under the GCQ Protocol,” said Community Relations Officer Lope Dizon.
Dizon reported that TVIRD Balabag was able to reach out a total of 4,948 families during the weeklong food pack distribution. “Of that number, 1,396 are Subanon families,” he said.
The company’s 4,776-hectare Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) area lies within the ancestral domain of the Subanon Tribe. Timuays (Chieftains) Lucenio Manda and Casiano Edal lead the tribe in Bayog town.
Grateful officials
Bayog Municipal Mayor Celso Matias as well as the respective officials of recipient barangays thanked the company for extending its support to their constituents.
Punong Barangays Danilo I. Sauclom of host Barangay Depore, Ronilo Ragudo of Barangay Damit and Ulysis H. Brandino of Barangay Depase also sent their appreciation for the company’s assistance to their constituents. “The food packs have helped our people a lot during this trying time,” they said.
Moreover, the mayor and barangay chiefs said that the relief operation assured them that they are not alone in the fight against the pandemic. “TVIRD is with us – never leaving us in this time of crisis.” To date, Bayog remains COVID-free and strictly follows public health protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) of the national government.
For the farmers
The relief operation likewise benefitted Bayog’s farmers whose locally-produced vegetables were included in the food packs. TVIRD procured these vegetables since farmers did not have access to their markets during the GCQ; and thus, ran the risk of spoilage of their harvest.
“This distribution model helped our farmers twice over since they experienced difficulties in bringing their produce into the market, in addition to their hardship in bringing food to their own tables due to their loss of income,” added Engr. Gingo, citing that some farmers are over 60 years old and belong to the vulnerable age group.
Vegetables in TVIRD’s food packs include locally-farmed string beans, squash, okra and eggplants.
For small businesses
The company’s program also helped small businesses in the community, including that of Mr. Allan Sajulga, 42, owner of Riel Tailoring Shop in Diplahan town. Sajulga was elated when TVIRD ordered 2,000 face masks from his shop.
Sajulga, who has been in business for 15 years, was very happy to accommodate the company’s order as it was the first time that he encountered such a massive demand for face masks to be sewn in his shop. Prior to this, Sajulga has been used to sewing jerseys and uniforms.
Aside from his recent earnings, Sajulga who is a father of one, said that he feels he did something good for the community, especially in this time of uncertainty.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic and the imposition of quarantine protocols across the country, the company has provided PPEs and food to Zamboanga Peninsula frontliners, including LGUs, volunteers, medical workers, policemen and civilian volunteers. It has also distributed relief goods and food packs to 25 barangays in the region, including Agusan del Norte’s, checkpoint volunteers and personnel.
*******