‘Kapwa ko, Sagot ko’ launching benefits 300 children in Port Barton

Over 300 children in Barangay Port Baron, San Vicente benefited from the hand-washing lecture and feeding project organized under the “Kapwa ko, Sagot ko” launching on June 3.

The project aims to encourage volunteerism among Palaweños to help individuals in crisis.

NRCW 42nd Naval Squadron commander LCdr. Silvanny Delight Gastanes said that the reservists, who serve as a force multiplier of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), provided a service team and manpower to the one-day activity.

She said that aside from the main event, it encouraged residents to be one with them in keeping the light of the spirit of volunteerism alive during the pandemic.

“May mga organization na nag-volunteer para mag-provide ng mga food na lulutuin at laruan na ipamimigay sa mga bata. Bilang reservist wala naman tayong malaking pondo para matustusan ang mga kailangan sa activity kaya serbisyo lang na tapat para sa mga tao ang kaya nating ibigay bilang reservist sa ngayon,” Gastanes said.

“Sinimulan natin para maging halimbawa sa kailangan barangay. At pwede nilang ipagpatuloy sa pamamagitan ng paghahanap ng mga taong may mabuting puso na willing tumulong para sa ikabubuti ng barangay nila,” she added.

Nieves Aleli Ajero, JPNC founder said that their organization started during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and able to make a partnership with the program of the government.

“Nag-start lang talaga itong JPNC noong ECQ, una ako lang ang nagbibigay hanggang sa sumama na ang mga friends ko. Naging successful ang mga event namin hanggang eventually ay nakipagpartner na kami sa kanila,” Ajero said.

She said that simple activity also aims to embed and teach children what to do in pandemic times.

“Hindi lang ito para tumulong kundi para makita ng mga bata na pwede pala magkawang gawa kapag may problema ang bansa o wala. Actually, plano na ituloy-tuloy ito kahit wala ng COVID-19. Kung may nagawa man siguro ang pandemya ay ‘yong turuan ang mga tao na makaisip kung paano tulungan ang ibang tao,” she said.

She said they have conducted a series of the same activity in some areas in Palawan.

Ajero said the event in Port Barton was their first activity in partnership with the AFP and the reservists.