ILOILO City – Two 40-foot container vans with 56,000 kilos of fish from the national government and Office of Civil Defense which were shipped via the Philippine Navy vessel BRP Bacolod City were turned over by Cong. Julienne “Jam-jam” Baronda to the city government and the Liga ng mga Barangay for distribution to poor households affected by the pandemic.
“The fish distribution supports ongoing efforts to further reduce the adverse impacts of the pandemic on our dear Ilonggos,” Baronda said.
Baronda, co-author of House Bill 06709 or The COVID-19 Unemployment Reduction Economic Stimulus (CURES) Act of 2020, and a supporter of the Bayanihan Acts 1 and 2, shared that while measures to promote the country’s recovery from the pandemic are in place and slowly gaining ground, the effects of the legislation are yet to be felt in its totality.
“We cannot deny that many have been rendered jobless and are unable to meet their basic needs. The fish distribution provides relief while the laws we crafted are being implemented to achieve the goals they were set out to do,” said Baronda.
For people who have nothing in their pockets, she said, “The fish we are distributing can tide them over for more or less three meals. That is something if you have nothing.”
When the congresswoman distributed fish three months ago, recipients joked when would they get the next batch.
“They were so happy with the fish they got. And we are happy to grant them their wish,” said Baronda.
Kent John Abello of Barangay Baldoza, La Paz district, a former beneficiary of the Department of Labor and Employment’s Government Internship Program, said the fish is a big help for families living below the poverty line.
“Sa amon nga pigado, makasapin-sapin ini sa mga galastuson namon sa pang-adlaw adlaw. Imbes mabakal pa kami, may ara na sang pondo nga pwede makaon,” he said.
Abello, a regular barangay volunteer, noted the difficulties experienced by impoverished families and is thankful for the help that came their way.
“Dako-dako gid ini nga bulig ni Cong. Jam-jam Baronda sa mga pamuluyo diri sa Baldoza,” he stressed.
Delia Paje, a beneficiary from Barangay Tabuc Suba, La Paz, conveyed her thanks to Baronda, too.
“Nagpasalamat gid kami kay bisan papano, makapiyan-piyan ini sang sa wala kami masud-an. Dako gid ‘ni nga bulig sa matag-adlaw namon,” said Paje.
Baronda stressed that this project is a joint effort.
“The gratitude I have been receiving is not mine alone, and I always make it a point to relay the thanks coming my way to those who made this possible,” she said.
Baronda explained that the good relationship between the national government and the city government as well as the Legislative District Office of Iloilo City paved the way for this assistance.
“Our solidarity with the national government helped us a lot in the facilitation of this aid,” she said.
Baronda extended her gratitude to Defense secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Regional Director Evelyn Macapobre of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Regional Director Roberto Nuñez of the Office of Civil Defense, Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero of the Bureau of Customs, the Philippine Navy, Mayor Jerry Treñas, Councilor Irene Ong, Liga ng mga Barangay district presidents, punong barangays, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod for their assistance in this undertaking.
“Madamo gid na salamat, Cong. Jam-jam Baronda, sa inyo bulig kag paghatag gugma para indi magutman ang aton pumuluyo diri sa Iloilo City. Padayon kita sa pagbato! Padayon, Uswag Ilonggo,” said Miguel Treñas who attended the turnover ceremony at Fort San Pedro on behalf of his father, Mayor Jerry Treñas.
This is the second distribution of frozen fish facilitated by Baronda to aid low-income families in the city. The first time was in August of this year wherein 54,000 kilos were distributed to all 180 barangays in the city.
The process of blast chilling or blast freezing was applied to the fish to maintain its quality and freshness for up to two years.
The fish shipment arrived at the port of Iloilo City yesterday, Nov. 25.
After unloading, it was immediately turned over the city government for distribution./PN
