Rotary Club of Bacolod and Rotary Club of Sagay-Sinigayan, as part of their sisterhood club program, conducted a joint community outreach project at the Ata Village in Brgy Puey, Sagay City, that benefitted nearly 60 indigenous community families, Saturday, December 3.
The City Govt of Sagay headed by Mayor Narciso L. Javelosa Jr., Rural Bank of Sagay and Sagay DepEd’s Book Nook were also part of the outreach, a press release from Sagay City said.
The clubs gave “pamaskwa” to the Ata Village, which contained a pack of grocery goods, hygiene kits, 5-kilo packed rice, fruits, solar-powered transistor radios, a Lighting Kit, and Emergency Lamps, among others.
In his welcome address, Brgy. Puey Punong Barangay Leofer Cobrado II said this program has a huge impact on the community and is a big help to every family which makes it more special since it’s the season of Christmas.
President Benson Fernandez of the Rotary Club of Sagay Sinigyan commended Punong Barangay Cobrado for his unending support in terms of community development of the village and pledged to extend more help in the realization of the community development plan.
Meanwhile, Rotary Club of Bacolod President Andre Familiaran said they are honored to have this joint community outreach and grateful for the opportunity of giving.
The event also included the planting of about 30 fruit-bearing trees by the Rotarians as part of the local club’s environmental program and to commemorate their visit.
Sagay City DepEd’s Book Nook led by Analee Alingco conducted the tandem read-aloud session with storytellers Philip Howard Bacalso and Crismae Alo entitled “Si Langgam at si Kalapati.”
The elders of the community performed the “Inagong” or the courtship dance.
Village Chief Christopher Cervantes expressed his thanks to the visiting Rotarians for their “gift of love.”
Sagay City Information and Tourism Officer Helen Cutillar discussed briefly the planned eco-cultural program and the need to help preserve the beautiful Ata culture as this has the threat to be diminished.
Also present during the event were the City Engineering Office, City Information and Tourism Office, Sagay City DRRMO, Sagay City PNP, Brgy. Puey Rescue, Health Workers and Brgy. Tanod.*PR