VOLUNTEERS. Secondary learners of the Antique National School (ANS) volunteer to help repack relief goods of the Department of Social Welfare and Development at the National Housing Authority warehouse in San Jose de Buenavista on Wednesday (Nov. 9, 2022). ANS principal Roger Jomolo said on Thursday (Nov. 10, 2022) the learners were eager to help hasten the distribution of relief goods to the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng that affected Antique last week of October. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Antiqueños from various sectors of the community have volunteered to help repack relief goods of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other donors to be distributed to families here hit by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.
Antique National School (ANS) principal Roger Jomolo said in an interview Thursday they have enlisted the help of troops of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) and Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), who are learners in their school.
It was done in response to the request of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) for volunteer packers.
“We have two sets of troops organized to volunteer in the repacking of relief goods,” he said.
Jomolo said the first group composed of 39 learners already assisted in the repacking at the National Housing Authority here on Wednesday.
The other group is ready to render community service under the supervision of their scouting coordinators Isabelita Butt and Willza Alayon, both teachers at the ANS.
“The GSP and BSP are very eager to volunteer themselves so they could also help their fellow Antiqueños through community service,” Jomolo said.
Meanwhile, 35 advance Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) cadets and active reservists of the Philippine Army Reserve Command 602nd Community Defense Center based in Antique assisted in transporting relief packs from Miag-ao, Iloilo to Antique from November 10 to 13.
“We are glad that University of Antique president Pablo Crespo Jr. has allowed the students who are ROTC cadets to volunteer themselves in the transportation of relief goods,” said Bobby Misajon, an active reserve officer.
They were requested by the PSWDO to assist in the transport of relief packs of the DSWD from Miag-ao, Iloilo.
The DSWD 6 (Western Visayas) report showed that as of Thursday, PHP28 million worth of relief assistance has been provided to the 18 municipalities of Antique.
Of the PHP28 million assistance, PHP24 million came from the DSWD and the rest from the provincial government and non-government organizations.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., during his visit to Antique on November 7, released PHP9.5 worth of family food packs, sleeping kits, and cash assistance of PHP5,000 each to 1,200 victims of Paeng. (PNA)
