Solidarity in the Midst of Adversity

in the midst of Adversity WRITTEN BY ALDEN JOHN TUBALE

and FRANCIS MISSION

Situated amongst majectic canyons bordered by mountain ranges, San Remigio is known for its spectacular landscape. It boasts of its village dubbed as “Little Baguio” in the province. On its crystal clear freshwater reflects the visage of the sun, creating a gorgeous mirage. It is a paradise home to many species of birds and flowers. This is only one thing that San S

Remigio is known for. And for another, it is known for the magnanimity of its people.

True to its mission of ‘delivering quality and timely services for the upliftment of the living condition of San Remigionhons through a corps of highly professional civil servants,’ LGU San Remigio was lauded due to its effective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) response and competent service to its people. Local officials used their best approach to cater to the needs of the people. They worked as one amid their political beliefs and affiliation to win against the deadly disease and provide every one of the unrelenting service they truly deserve.

Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, our government’s efforts in vanquishing the unseen enemy was raised to its optimum level. The LGU San Remigio had strengthen the implementation of health protocols and ensure the equal distribution of various aids to all affected citizens especially the underprivileged.

In the Municipality of San Remigio, all sectors work together to cater the needs of both the severely affected people and practitioners in the frontlines. Through the initiative of its Local Chief Executive, Margarito C. Mission Jr., they provided government assistance to the constituents.

LGUs and other government organizations in the entire country have their own styles and approaches to break the continuous chain of transmission of the deadly virus. Solidarity fueled up government agencies to work together for one cause, thus the frontline Inter Agency Task Force for COVID-19 was born. IATF for COVID-19 pandemic was designed to monitor and validate the status of COVID related events. Thus, IATF in San Remigio strictly implement the safety health protocols as well as the policies and guidelines approved by the national and local governments.

“The response had been undertaken by the local IATF of San Remigio especially the health personnel. They guarantee that everything is in order. Implementing precautionary measures and safety protocols are their responsibilities because in this time of crisis, the bayanihan spirit was maintained to control the unseen enemy,” Mar Mission said in an interview. 25 San Remigio Official, the official facebook page of San Remigio, Antique posted relevant data and timely information about COVID-19 response and relief operations of the LGU San Remigio. The efforts of the LGU headed by their proactive LCE and other government sectors had equally given aids either in-kind or cash to San Remigionhons who were affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Reliefs include food packs, personal protective equipment, and sanitary kits to name a few.

Meanwhile, equality and fairness was valued in this time of crisis. The proper distribution of the relief goods was undertaken by the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) to suffice the basic needs of San Remigionhons. Mrs. Rosa Ella M. Sastrillo, Licensed Social Worker and MSWD officer emphasized that all people regardless of their socio-economic status were granted with many relief goods from NGOs and GOs as long as their name is in the list of the underprivileged sector.

“We assure that all the financial aids and relief goods will be distributed equally to all San Remigionhons. This time of crisis we must give the utmost service we could offer to everyone ensuring transparency to everybody,” Rosa Ella M. Sastrillo, Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer, said.

Fighting the unseen enemy cannot be done only by the health workers. Dr. Diana Jean M. Cabanalan, Municipal Health Officer ensured that proper tracking of the Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs) and Persons Under Infection (PUIs) was strictly implemented by the health personnel.

“Fighting COVID-19 needs a multi-sectorial approach and our health personnel cannot do it alone. We have been campaigning way back before this pandemic struck specifically in the month of January. We appeal to everyone to stay at home and never breach any implemented health protocols while the IATF is also doing their part,” Dr. Cabanalan stressed out.

In facing the pandemic, San Remigionhons are like hambaro or a flock of birds that were bonded with unity, persistence and compassion as they work together for their goals and aspirations in the hope of making San Remigio a progressive place. As it is mentioned in the song San Remigio Palangga Mo, Palangga Ko by Engr. Roger Petinglay and interpreted by Mr. Sammy Rubido, “Kauswagan kag kalinungan handum naton tanan…magbuylog kag magtingub, sa liwan magabantog (we all hope for progress and peace... participate and converge until it becomes a practice.”