High tides, boat rides: Bringing lockdown aid to an island barangay | ABS-CBN
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High tides, boat rides: Bringing lockdown aid to an island barangay
High tides, boat rides: Bringing lockdown aid to an island barangay
George Calvelo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 22, 2021 01:48 AM PHT
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Updated Apr 22, 2021 09:03 PM PHT
Surrounded by Angat River and Manila Bay, Barangay Tibaguin in Hagonoy town, Bulacan, can only be reached by motorized boats, a 40-minute ride from the Hagonoy Municipal Hall as there are no bridges connecting the island barangay to the mainland.
Surrounded by Angat River and Manila Bay, Barangay Tibaguin in Hagonoy town, Bulacan, can only be reached by motorized boats, a 40-minute ride from the Hagonoy Municipal Hall as there are no bridges connecting the island barangay to the mainland.
Like many coastal communities, Tibaguin relies mainly on fishing as a source of livelihood. In more ways than one, fishing has kept most of its 4,278 residents alive, especially during the pandemic. The residents usually sell their catch to wet markets in the town proper, and even when the COVID-19 lockdowns in NCR Plus started they were still able to eat because of their catch.
Like many coastal communities, Tibaguin relies mainly on fishing as a source of livelihood. In more ways than one, fishing has kept most of its 4,278 residents alive, especially during the pandemic. The residents usually sell their catch to wet markets in the town proper, and even when the COVID-19 lockdowns in NCR Plus started they were still able to eat because of their catch.
While fishing puts food on their tables, residents still need money for other purposes. As such, the residents looked forward to receiving the cash aid provided by the government to help some 22.9 million low income earners cope with tightened COVID-19 restrictions. Which is why, according to barangay chairman Rogelio Suico, it was disappointing to find out that they were not included in the cash aid.
While fishing puts food on their tables, residents still need money for other purposes. As such, the residents looked forward to receiving the cash aid provided by the government to help some 22.9 million low income earners cope with tightened COVID-19 restrictions. Which is why, according to barangay chairman Rogelio Suico, it was disappointing to find out that they were not included in the cash aid.
“ ’Yan po ang hinahanap ng tao. Sabi nga sa TV lahat magkakaroon, e ang ibababa nila kulang. Napakasakit po sa amin na ’yung ibang ka-barangay namin ay hindi makakuha, samantalang sila’y parte din naman ng inaabot nating pandemic na ito. Di naman po pinag-uusapan na dito ’yung antas ng buhay mo., kundi ang pinag-uusapan po dito ay ’yung pare-pareho tayong apektado,” Suico says.
“ ’Yan po ang hinahanap ng tao. Sabi nga sa TV lahat magkakaroon, e ang ibababa nila kulang. Napakasakit po sa amin na ’yung ibang ka-barangay namin ay hindi makakuha, samantalang sila’y parte din naman ng inaabot nating pandemic na ito. Di naman po pinag-uusapan na dito ’yung antas ng buhay mo., kundi ang pinag-uusapan po dito ay ’yung pare-pareho tayong apektado,” Suico says.
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(That’s what people are looking for. We heard on TV that everyone will receive aid but it’s not enough. It hurts us that some of us here won’t receive aid even if they’re affected by the pandemic. We’re not talking about status, we’re talking about everyone is affected.)
(That’s what people are looking for. We heard on TV that everyone will receive aid but it’s not enough. It hurts us that some of us here won’t receive aid even if they’re affected by the pandemic. We’re not talking about status, we’re talking about everyone is affected.)
According to the 52-year old barangay chairman, there are 1,300 families within 825 households in their barangay. Out of this number, only 704 beneficiaries are listed by the municipal social welfare development (MSWD) department.
According to the 52-year old barangay chairman, there are 1,300 families within 825 households in their barangay. Out of this number, only 704 beneficiaries are listed by the municipal social welfare development (MSWD) department.
The process for making the payroll list is straightforward. The LGU assigns so-called mother leaders in each barangay to verify the number of members of each household, as well as the the number of household heads. The list is then forwarded to the barangay chairman for further verification, and then passed on to the local government. The list then becomes the basis for how much aid social workers bring during distribution.
The process for making the payroll list is straightforward. The LGU assigns so-called mother leaders in each barangay to verify the number of members of each household, as well as the the number of household heads. The list is then forwarded to the barangay chairman for further verification, and then passed on to the local government. The list then becomes the basis for how much aid social workers bring during distribution.
But Suico says: “Pagdating po sa ganitong klase ng kalamidad, sana po ’yung binabalita nila na pinapakita nila sa social media, sana po ’yun ang nangyayari. Para naman po ang mga barangay official e hindi nasisisi.”
But Suico says: “Pagdating po sa ganitong klase ng kalamidad, sana po ’yung binabalita nila na pinapakita nila sa social media, sana po ’yun ang nangyayari. Para naman po ang mga barangay official e hindi nasisisi.”
(When it comes to calamities such as this, I hope what is shown in social media is really what happens. So barangay officials don’t get blamed.)
(When it comes to calamities such as this, I hope what is shown in social media is really what happens. So barangay officials don’t get blamed.)
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SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE FRONTLINES
For social workers such as Maidy Pahati, dealing with irate residents is part of the job as public servants. Pahati works for the city treasurer’s office but is also tasked by the MSWD office to give out aid.
For social workers such as Maidy Pahati, dealing with irate residents is part of the job as public servants. Pahati works for the city treasurer’s office but is also tasked by the MSWD office to give out aid.
“Ang hinaing lang ng mga tao, kulang ’yung head of families na dumating sa barangay. Ang mga tao ang nagrereklamo na hindi 100% ng populasyon ang mabibigyan,” Pahati says after hearing the Suico’s sentiments.
“Ang hinaing lang ng mga tao, kulang ’yung head of families na dumating sa barangay. Ang mga tao ang nagrereklamo na hindi 100% ng populasyon ang mabibigyan,” Pahati says after hearing the Suico’s sentiments.
(The residents’ only grievance is not all of the heads of families arrived in the barangay. They’re complaining that not all of them will be given aid.)
(The residents’ only grievance is not all of the heads of families arrived in the barangay. They’re complaining that not all of them will be given aid.)
Dealing with irate residents isn’t the only risk for Pahati when delivering aid. She is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and hypertension, making her eligible for the A3 category of the vaccination priority list. Although she is registered for the vaccine, she still has to complete a few medical check-ups before being cleared for inoculation.
Dealing with irate residents isn’t the only risk for Pahati when delivering aid. She is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and hypertension, making her eligible for the A3 category of the vaccination priority list. Although she is registered for the vaccine, she still has to complete a few medical check-ups before being cleared for inoculation.
“Nag-iingat lang kami lagi. I always wear facemask and face shield. At saka siyempre, dasal. Na sana maingatan lahat ’yung buong team pag lumalabas kami,” she says.
“Nag-iingat lang kami lagi. I always wear facemask and face shield. At saka siyempre, dasal. Na sana maingatan lahat ’yung buong team pag lumalabas kami,” she says.
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(We are always careful. Of course, I also pray that no harm will fall on the whole team whenever we go out.)
(We are always careful. Of course, I also pray that no harm will fall on the whole team whenever we go out.)
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