The long wait for the realization of what we envisioned as a working and social relationship between Barangay Agat and Globe Telecom thru the latter’s “SAGOT KA NI KAP’ program under its Corporate Social Responsibility Department came to fulfilment on June 27, 2012 when Senior Specialist for CSR, Mr. Fernando “Bong” C. Esguerra, came to deliver other SKK items in addition to those earlier received for our TANODS. Bong briefly oriented the assembled Barangay officials and Tanods on the mechanics of their Sagot Ka Ni Kap program with the use of Nokia cellphones to help in the effective implementation of the program by tanod-recipients. He left the cellphones after activating them. But more importantly Globe Telecom made available thru its insurance provider, Malayan Insurance Co., a one-year accident insurance coverage for 10 Barangay officials, 14 Tanods, 7 Barangay Health Workers, and 1 Day Care worker. Other items given were: 5 pieces Firefly Pin Light Rechargeable Lamp; 15 pieces of raincoat; 15 pieces blue (Globe Telecom standard color) long-sleeved -shirts for the Tanods and the Brgy. Kagawad chairman on Peace and Order; 1 piece handcuff; 30 pieces signage (small); 10 pieces signage (big); and Sim cards. Among those present to witness this turn-over were the Sison Deputy Chief of Police and Mr. Loejan Anudon of Congresswoman Kimi Cojuangco’s staff who covered and documented the event.
The waiting started before the Barangay elections in October, 2010 when then newly elected (unopposed) barangay captain Cornelio Domaloy came across an article in the Good News Section of the Philippine Star issue of October 17, 2010 of similar Globe Telecom program availed of and given to Barangay Sto. Nino, Talaingod, Davao del Norte. He then prepared a letter to the Chief of the Corporate Social Responsibility Department but withheld mailing the letter until after he was installed and taken his oath of office in a mass induction of Barangay officials in town on November 25, 2010. That constituted his first official act as a Barangay Captain.
AGAT BARANGAY HALL
P/Brgy. Domaloy and Mr. Esguerra preparing the gadgets/paraphernalia for distribution.
Barangay officials and members of the CVO listening to Mr. Bong Esguerra
It was not meant to be a sweet sailing expectation because the barangay captain was not favoured with a reply even after two follow-up letters in 2011. Not one to be easily discouraged but rather emboldened with the situation he found himself in, and finding, seemingly, no other recourse but to go to the President of the company which he did in writing in January, 2012.
P/Brgy. Cornelio Domaloy, members of the Sanggunian Barangay and officials and the Brgy. Civilian Volunteers (CVO’s) pose with Mr. Bong Esguerra (center) after the distribution of the CVO materials.
Bong Esguerra, during his orientation, touched on this seemingly ignored letters from the barangay captain with the explanation that their department (Corporate Social Responsibility) underwent some overhauling because of resignations/transfers of officers until after this matter was referred to his desk and to immediately address the same by the president of the company resulting in the joyful and grateful outcome for all concerned and made the waiting well worth it.
Projects Done (Deep Well)
A two-week period in May, 2012 devoted to digging was all it took to finish an 84-metter deep well at the south side of the community on a private property of the Palit-angs. The mouth of the last of big pipes on the surface was sealed before the contractor and his crew left to do similar works at the western side of the town.
The project is reportedly district -wide (5th congressional district of Pangasinan), is being undertaken by former congressman of the district, Mr. Mark Cojuangco, husband of the incumbent, Kimi Cojuangco. Being awaited for installation along with similar projects which reached the same stage of prosecution in Sison are the other important materials/attachments like the motor, tank, etc. which were ordered and manufactured abroad before the deep well can become operational.
The property where the deep well is located being private, the required Deed of Donation signed by the donor and the recipient-barangay (donee) was done and notarized with copies of the document furnished both parties.
Changed to Bigger Pipes, Purchase and Installation
A perennial summer problem of water supply scarcity in the barangay was addressed recently with the purchase of bigger pipes which were connected to the existing 3”diameter pipes at a point where smaller ones had to be used until the reservoir. The flow of water on the uniformed 3”diameter pipes from the source of water in the mountains to the reservoir is now unhampered and a bigger volume of water can now supply a wider area of the community. The other smaller pipes purchased were used to change old and rusty ones installed years back. Even the routes of the pipes had to be changed from underground to surface for easier inspection and repair.
The old but still serviceable pipes were accumulated / piled in the premises of Kgd. Ambrocio Millares for sale at a discounted price to interested residents for use only in the Barangay.
Relative to this improvement in the passage and supply of water, perhaps the Barangay Clinic benefited the most because their long appeal on their need for an uninterrupted water supply was met by the Barangay Council. Each member of the Council contributed an amount to enable it to purchase a 2-roll 1” diameter rubber hose which was connected to the main line before the reservoir because otherwise their water supply would have been subject to schedule of water releases in the evening and morning. As it was remedied, the clinic and all those it render services to like deliveries and ordinary usage will find it convenient to just turn the faucet on and water comes pouring in.
New Equipment in the Barangay Clinic
Another concrete manifestation of the continuing vibrant tie-up between the North Star Aggregates, Inc. and Barangay Agat particularly its Tribal group, and making use of the company’s financial health assistance set for its social responsibility, a delivery bed, weighing scale, and divan were purchased for the Barangay Clinic lately.
As it is now encouraged that all deliveries of infants be done in barangay clinics or hospitals and never at homes, Barangay Health Workers have to update themselves not only in assisting successful deliveries but must equally be updated on comfortable facilities as well. Keeping that in mind and the fact that they can always depend on North Star for assistance, some members of the Tribal group who are mostly the senior Barangay Health Workers have opted to make use of this year’s financial health assistance for this purpose. They were successful and both the BHWs and Clinic are ready to address this need in a more confident way with the use of these newly acquired facilities.
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