ILOILO City – Lone District’s Cong. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda, in partnership with Mayor Jerry Treñas, signaled the start of the happiest month for the Ilonggos on Thursday with the rollout of a bunch of pro-people initiatives.
These love-filled initiatives included the groundbreaking of the Iloilo City Sports Center project at Jalandoni National High School in Lapuz district, the release of financial assistance to 300 solo parents, and the turnover of 300 laptop computers for teachers and learning hubs.
All these were realized with the help of the Department of Education, Department of Information and Communications Technology and national officials.
“As a varsity player in my younger years, it is my dream to have a world-class sports facility for our athletes. The Iloilo City Sports Center will make us realize that dream. We will produce champions and even Olympians in the next few years,” Baronda, known for her slogan “Gugma Ko, HOPE Mo,” told guests during the groundbreaking.
Mayor Jerry Treñas, in a speech read by his daughter Raisa Treñas, said the project will help develop the health and wellbeing of the Ilonggos as well as instill leadership, teamwork and discipline among the athletes.
“Who knows, through our constant quest for greatness we can soon produce an Olympic gold medalist from Iloilo City,” according to the mayor.
Both Treñas and Baronda vowed to ensure that their shared dream will be realized. The multi-year P200-million project will also host the planned Iloilo City Sports Academy, which they conceptualized with Rudiver Jungco of the City Sports Development Division and Executive Assistant for Sports.
The planned academy will be run by top-caliber trainers who will introduce science-based and holistic training to Ilonggo athletes.
“Athletes should learn to be magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat. My sports training then made me the disciplined, strong and resilient woman and public servant that I am today. I want these values nurtured and instilled in the hearts and minds of the Ilonggo athletes along with their world-class training,” said Baronda.
City Schools Division Superintendent Ma. Luz delos Reyes cited Treñas and Baronda for working together for the betterment of the education sector. She said the center will not solely benefit young athletes but also every Ilonggo who wishes to keep himself healthy through physical or sports activities.
Councilors Rudolf Ganzon, Allan Zaldivar and Frances Parcon joined the ceremony along with guests Dr. Urminico “Doc Nick” Baronda, Iloilo City Executive Assistant for Youth and Sports Rudiver Jungco, Lapuz Association of Barangay Captains president Ricardo Diño, Iloilo City Urban Poor Affairs Office chair Roy Firmeza, Department of Public Works and Highways District Engineer Haydee Alunan, District Supervisors and other barangay officials. School principal Salvador Besares welcomed them.
Baronda thanked Education secretary Leonor Briones and Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua for helping facilitate the availability of Jalandoni Memorial National High School as home to the sports center. The school is known to produce athletes who excel in local and national sporting events.
Meanwhile, some 300 solo parents were able to receive P3,000 each in financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations to help them cope with the effects of the pandemic.
Another batch of 300 recipients will be able to receive the same amount in the next schedule of release.
Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go facilitated the allocation of P1.8 million to be distributed to validated and certified solo parents in Iloilo City.
Rachel Marie Guarra expressed gratitude for what she received. “I thank Sen. Bong Go for the help. And thank you also to Cong. Jam-jam Baronda. I lost my job and this pandemic made our life harder. I don’t know if I will be able to find a job at 43 years old. But I will strive harder for my child. The cash assistance I received will help us with our food and other needs,” the mother from Barangay Tanza Timawa said.
Baronda shared that her Facebook page has been swarmed with messages from people introducing themselves as solo parents asking for help for them to buy milk and diapers for their infant kids.
“I thank Sen. Bong Go for helping us help these solo parents. These mothers and fathers raise their kids alone. They have no one to ask help from this pandemic. We are trying to extend them help. We want them to experience the love of the national government,” she told Panay News.
Yesterday afternoon, 300 units of laptop computers were turned over by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to the Department of Education through Cong. Baronda.
Baronda said she requested then DICT secretary Gringo Honasan for laptop computers for the learners at the onset of the pandemic, which resulted in virtual classes or blending learning mode but the annual budget of the department has repeatedly been slashed that it can’t afford to provide the needed units.
Honasan was fortunately able to spare 300 units for Iloilo City under the Cybersafe Learning Project of the DICT Digital Education Program upon the request of Baronda.
Councilor Lady Julie Grace “Love-Love” Baronda, chairperson of the City Council Committee on Education, and Engineer Elmer Prudente of the DICT also graced the ceremony./PN
