This COVID-19 pandemic has been bringing out one of the most exemplary features of Filipino culture—bayanihan, the community effort to help one another in times of need.
Gerandy Danao, the mayor of the town of Narra in Palawan, has been working together with other officials to help his constituents survive this difficult time. According to him, local officials—from the barangay and the police, to coast guards and the fire protection bureau—are all working together to look after the welfare of the citizens of Narra, making sure everyone follows the enhanced community quarantine protocols.
Mayor Danao also proudly shared that due to the generosity of their citizens, he’s able to apply a kind of barter system when it comes to giving food packs. Amazingly, despite the province-wide lockdown, many Narra residents still manage to pursue individual economic activities.
“Nakakapaghanapbuhay pa nga ang mga tao dito, at hindi po tayo magugutuman kasi tayo po ang source ng bigas, isda, gulay. Marami tayo niyan. Hirap lang po tayong kumilos kasi curfew natin 24 oras na kaya medyo nag-aalangan kumilos ang mga tao kasi maraming nahuhuli,” Danao said in an interview with The Palawan News.
Danao also said that the distribution of food packs from their local government includes seedlings so that the residents of Narra would be able to have sustainable living even in the midst of crisis.
“Magpupurchase kami ng mga butong gulay, pagtatanimin namin sila sa kanilang mga bahay-bahay para kahit papano meron sila, 200,000 ang ipamimili namin para sa seeds na ipamimigay, para makatipid sila, makapagtanim, magkaroon ng sariling gulay,” he stated in an interview.
Aside from the seedlings, Narra LGU also gives out 20 kilos of rice, canned goods, and antibacterial soap to their people. This is all to make it easier for people, especially those whose livelihoods have been affected like tricycle drivers and shop workers, to survive the quarantine period.
As of writing, there are less than 100 people within the entire province of Palawan confirmed with the COVID-19 disease. On the other hand, there are still persons under investigation who will soon finish their self-quarantine period. If someone does test positive, Mayor Danao says he can’t confidently say they are ready because they lack medical supplies needed to combat the deadly virus.
According to an interview by GMA News, the Municipality of Narra has already approved a P20.2 million budget ready in case the quarantine protocols persist until June.
Before he was elected as the town mayor who ended decades of political dynasty in his town, Mayor Danao worked as a farmer. His main source of income was goat farming.
Sources:
HiLites ASHS 