ILOILO – Three Ilonggos were commended by the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Western Visayas for their spirit of volunteerism.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. awarded certificates of recognition and cash incentives to Wilmon Subong, Randy Bayot and Jove Tioco.
Dr. Jerry Bionat, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), recalled that the three were also recognized last year in the Search for the 2020 Outstanding Volunteers.
Out 15 nominees sent by the province of Iloilo to the RDC, three were accepted.
The nominees’ contributions in the fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were assessed.
“RDC ang nag-screen based sa ila voluntary work, sa ila mga kapasidad. Makita ang dedication nila adlaw kag gabi. Naga-report sila without expecting remuneration…purely voluntary service,” Bionat told Panay News.
This was something the Iloilo provincial government was truly proud of, he stressed.
“Sa whole Region 6 three gid ang nakasulod sa aton. It is an honor nga ang aton volunteers on COVID gin-recognize,” said Bionat.
Subong was grateful for the recognition. He volunteered his services in Calinog town.
“Nagapalasamat gid ako sa award kay ginkilala man kag may kabaylo ang amon pagpangabudlay,” he said.
Subong created the contingency plan that the local government of Calinog is currently using.
“Isa man kami sa naghimu sang relief good operations. Daw ginsuray namon ang COVID without hesitation sa pagbulig,” Subong added.
Subong shared how worried he was at first. He was thankful that neither he nor any member of his family contracted COVID-19.
Bayot, on the other hand, was a member of the Batad Responders and Volunteers for Emergencies (BRAVE), while Tioco was a member of the Emergency Responders of Ajuy Response Team (ART) and had also taken part in the municipal checkpoint under the Municipal Disinfection Team./PN
