Bugasong, Antique – The shortage of face masks during COVID-19 outbreak triggered the two SLP Associations in the Municipality of Buasong, Antique to initiate in producing face masks. These masks will be given to the frontlines of their municipality whose working for the safety of Bugasongnon during the community quarantine.
The Samahan ng mga Mangingisda sa Bugasong (SaMBu) with the assistance from the Project Development Officer Ms. Connie Corda, partnered with Bagtason Sewers SLP Association to produce 200 face masks. SaMBu will be paying for the materials while the sewers’ labor is for free.
“Naka agi kami kang wara wara guid pero nakabaton kami bulig halin sa gobyerno, kaja tiempo ron nga kami ruman ang mag balik bulig sa mga naga kinahanglan. (We experienced to have nothing and we got help from the government, now it’s time to help others in need)”, says Salvador C. Flores on a phone interview. Mr. Flores is a 60 years-old resident of Brgy. Jinalinan, Bugasong, Antique and secretary of SaMBu.
Mr. Flores remembers how it feels like to have nothing when their livelihood were damaged after being hardly hit by typhoon Yolanda and they didn’t know how to cope until they received help from the Government. “Kaja nga bugana ang isda, amo ja amon pamaagi sa pagpasalamat sa mga nagtugro bulig kanamon. (Now that we are enjoying our good harvest, this is our way to thank those who helped us)”, he added.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Valdez, President of Bagtason Sewers SLP Association in Brgy, Bagtason, Bugasong also expresses her appreciation to SaMBu Association for giving them the opportunity to be part of this initiative. “Gusto namon makabulig kag magshare kang love sa amon simple nga paagi kag kabay ang iba magbulig man. (It is our desire to extend help and share love in our own simple ways and we are hopeful that many of us will take part)”, says Elizabeth.
The Local Government Unit of Bugasong, through the help of the Municipal Police Station, will distribute the masks to front liners who are taking risk to ensure safety along the boarders and coastal lines of the municipality.
Though both associations admitted that their businesses are also affected by the situation, they still assure full support to the move of the government for community quarantine to fight against COVID-19 and plans to produce more masks to be distributed to the barangay.//dswd6/ tfal
