Sarangani barangays receive additional assistance

ALABEL, Sarangani (May 12, 2020) – Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon talks with the barangay captains of Alabel on May 8 during the “Turnover and Distribution Ceremony” of financial aid and additional relief items at the provincial gymnasium.

Governor Solon stressed the importance of strictly following precautionary measures like wearing of masks and the 2-meter physical distancing to avoid being infected by coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Alabel was the first town in the province to receive additional assistance. The turnover and distribution are set to be completed this week in to all the barangays in the remaining towns in Sarangani.

The aid was intended for the frontline workers who are continuously working amid the global health crisis. (Content including photo reposted from the Official Website of Sarangani Province)

In photo: Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon of Sarangani Province

Barangay health emergency response teams train in Benguet

The municipal government of Mankayan of this province conducted continuous trainings for the members of the barangay health emergency response teams (BHERTs) in the municipality to ensure the proper handling of suspected Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) cases pursuant to established health protocols to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, especially during the onset of the rainy season.

Mayor Frenzel A. Ayong said the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office (MDRRMO) and the municipal health office (MHO) which are the municipal government offices in charge of the said barangay-based trainings are now making the rounds in the town’s 12 barangays to train the BHERTs members to ensure their awareness on the execution of the proper health protocols to COVID cases.

He pointed out the municipal government wants the BHERTs members to be properly equipped in handling suspected COVID cases because with the onset of the rainy season, there will be people who will contract simple cough, colds and fever which are the rainy day illnesses and that the same could be misinterpreted as possible COVID suspects that may result to the discrimination of the said residents.

“ We are elated on the overwhelming response of the people in the barangays interested in participating in the said training because they want to be well informed on how to handle possible COVID suspects and put to practice established health protocols to prevent the spread of the deadly virus once there will be confirmed cases in the municipality. We do not want people having simple fever, cough and colds to be discriminated by people in the barangay, thus the municipal government decided to pursue such training for interested barangay health emergency response team members,” Mayor Ayong stressed.

The municipal chief executive added the municipal government had also been receiving positive responses from the initial 5 barangays where the training had been conducted, thus, the coverage area of the training will be expanded to have the widest possible sharing of established health protocols and allow peoples to learn how to effectively and efficiently handle suspected or confirmed COVID cases to prevent panic in the areas where the said incidents are reported.

According to him, Mankayan remains to be COVID-free because of the vigilance and cooperation of the residents to the prescribed guidelines and policies governing the implementation of the extended Luzonwide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

He noted that from the proposed 20 to 30 participants of the training in each of the barangays, the number of participants usually double, a clear indication that many people want to be know important information and participate in the activities being undertaken to ensure that suspected COVID cases are given the appropriate attention prior to their being turned over to the health facilities designated to handle COVID patients. (Content reposted from HeraldExpress)

Photo:  Benguet Provincial Capitol, PIA

DILG wants to professionalize barangays

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said it will be pushing for the professionalization of barangay officials.

According to DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya, with the diverse functions they perform, it is time for barangay officials to have standard salaries.

“Actually, this has been our long-standing proposal. Once Congress deliberates again, we will file a formal bill for the concentration of local government because we think village chiefs and their council officers must get salaries because we expect a lot from them,” Malaya said in a radio interview.

“Now, it’s the time to professionalize the barangay. They should be salaried and not just being given honoraria,” he added.

Malaya furthered that the agency will be creating a technical working group to deliberate on the matter soon as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis eases.

Apart from the professionalization of barangay executives, the DILG is also looking into laying down educational qualifications for those seeking positions in the barangay.

Malaya underscored the importance of having a “professional barangay” especially when it comes to addressing disasters and emergencies.

“We expect a lot from them. We saw how in this COVID-19 situation, the role of the barangay officials played from quarantine to contact tracing,” noted Malaya. (Content and photo of DILG Usec Jonathan Malaya reposted from Tribune)

 

North Cotabato governor visits barangay frontliners

North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco on Friday visited barangay health workers, nutrition scholars, and daycare workers in at least three towns of the province and granted them food and non-food packs.

A total of PHP712,000 worth of cash assistance was also extended to what she described as “modern-day heroes” who spend hours working to ensure that the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) would not severely affect communities in the province.

Catamco, along with other provincial officials, visited the towns of Carmen, Kabacan, and M’lang to hand over the assistance.

“This amount of assistance is surely not enough but at least it will help you cushion the impact of this pandemic while you are on the front lines as we recognize that you and your families are also victims,” she told barangay workers in M’lang.

Catamco promised to soon visit other towns of the province and extend the same assistance to village front-liners.

Meanwhile, the town mayors of Carmen, Kabacan, and M’lang have vowed to complement the efforts of Catamco by also giving face masks, face shields, gloves, and other food and non-food items to village front-liners.

“Catamco really loves the people of the province as she keeps on coming back to extend aid to our people,” M’lang Mayor Russel Abonado said.

On Thursday, Catamco also extended financial aid and food items to members of the police and military who have served on the front line since the implementation of the province-wide enhanced community quarantine in March. (Content reposted from Philippine News Agency)

In photo: North Cotabato Governor Nancy Catamco (back to camera) assures barangay front-liners that her administration will provide their needs since they, too, are victims of the Covid-19 crisis. Catamco has scheduled to visit village front-liners in Kidapawan City and 14 other towns in the province after extending aid to those in the towns of Carmen, M’lang, and Kabacan on Friday (May 8, 2020). (Photo courtesy of North Cotabato PIO)