John Emmanuel Tayo, Gigmoto CDP in Catanduanes
Youth taking part in societal issues is greatly important and we, in Good Neighbors, ensure their participation in taking action. Some of our youth in our communities shared their thoughts on how everyone should take part in protecting our environment.
Althea Romano & Kaye Adreinne Evangelista, Tingloy CDP in Batangas
Many ways drive us to take care of the environment and if we do not protect it we will be the ones to be affected by the abuse we are doing. Moreover, the important livelihoods depend on this every day.
The education of the youth and children in distance learning is one of our top priorities. Many education-related challenges were encountered by youth and children learners, such as lack of modules or learning materials, accessibility to the internet, and others.
We continuously work hand in hand with partner government units to achieve a better and quality education for the children and address these challenges in education.
Participation of GNIP Laak Field Office
The role and participation of Good Neighbors International Philippines (GNIP) Laak Field Office have been significant in addressing the needs and plight of the frontliners and the communities.
Public Address System (PAS) is very helpful in information dissemination related to COVID-19, making announcements, and emergency alarms to communities, especially in such areas where there is no access to the internet or has a limitation on electricity.
In the special Barangays Limot, Candiis, Libuton, and Mag-Agbay in Laak, Davao de Oro, the Public Address System (PAS) provided is now being used for information dissemination to the community members without the risk of infecting the others. These four barangays were the first barangays in Aguinaldo to have installed a PAS.
COVID-19 will not hinder Good Neighbors International Philippines from putting the children’s needs and safety the first priority. Alongside this long-running unprecedented pandemic, the organization will continuously provide assistance to those affected especially in project areas where it serves.
The situation of the vulnerable communities has undoubtedly affected the lives and wellbeing of the children and families. To address this, constant efforts to assure safety and protection are mobilized by Good Neighbors International Philippines (GNIP) to its project areas.
Some 381 active frontliners deployed in the 15 island barangays of Tingloy municipalities to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 were provided with protective masks and gloves. Despite being isolated and geographically challenged crossing the oceans to serve the children and communities, the frontliners have hugely helped the communities to maintain 0 cases of COVID-19, to date.
About 4,790 pieces of face masks, 46 gallons of alcohol, and other support were distributed to a total of 130 frontliners in 9 barangays and 6 other frontline offices, such as Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDDRMO), Municipal Office, Rural Health Unit (RHU), and District Hospital by the Community Development Project of Gigmoto in Catanduanes.
Children and marginalized communities are among the most vulnerable sectors during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. Their vulnerabilities are doubly aggravated when they live in areas where basic social and medical services are inaccessible. Sitios Bakal and Ibayo in Quezon City are one of these areas in ardent need of help. The Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) although is very important to serve its purpose to address the health crisis, many related socio-economic problems have adversely affected them.
Countless efforts of our frontliners in protecting the children and communities have been very valuable in this health crisis, most of us never expect. Thus, Good Neighbors International Philippines’ support is one way of ensuring their safety from this fight.
Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) play crucial role in this time of health crisis. As such, we commend all their efforts as part of the health warriors in stopping the spread of coronavirus. At the grassroots level, they are included in the first line of defense and they are the link of the community people to the health providers and facilities.
In 2015, Good Neighbors International Philippines (GNIP) supported Prieto Diaz in installing a Public Address System (PAS) that will reach out to 23 barangays of the municipality. This was used as an early warning system before the onset of a potential hazard and was also used to broadcast information campaigns on various health issues. Today, in this time of COVID-19 pressing problem, the PAS was recognized as an effective measure to update and disseminate important information and notices to the barangays.
Good Neighbors has reached out to 1,000 families in a number of evacuation centers through distribution of hygiene kits, and learning and experiential sessions with the children. The families (parents and children alike) are hopeful to recover fast from their current situation. They have shown sense of resiliency with hopes to rise above from the volcano eruption related concerns.