Distance means so little when service to humanity calls out. It does not stop humanitarian workers from realizing the true essence of “bayanihan” . COVID-19 neither separates nor divides people, thus, it strengthens bonds among individuals with the pursuit of common good.
The legacy of the Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits, Inc. (ECOWEB) lives amongst people, as it transpired, people empowering people. The organization yields a torch that lights others to create spaces of development while inspiring them to foster and pass on to other people’s paths.
Just like the coordination between ECOWEB and the Center for Empowerment and Development of Elderly and Seniors (CEDES) which resulted in planting a seed of hope in the hearts of people in Novaliches, Caloocan City. Indeed, distance is never a barrier if people do value their passion to serve.
CEDES, a civil society organization in Caloocan City which actively promotes and protects the rights and welfare of the older people, initiated the relief distribution to elderly people who were affected by COVID-19. These elders were assessed to be those who are underprivileged, received insufficient provision of physical and health care, and mostly excluded from participation in social activities and labor workforce. Most especially, they were mostly not included in the provision of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) – a cash emergency subsidy of the national government.
ECOWEB firmly believes that CEDES knows the exact intervention to the locale. As part of the Survivor and Community-Led Response (sclr), the community-based organization proved that they are entitled to decision-making, based on community’s capacity and vulnerability. This led them to identifying cash aid, as it is the only way to extend help despite the crisis. Capacitating local actions build them perseverance and dedication toward a certain cause especially in identifying their current needs and priorities.
An amount of 30,000 pesos was transferred through a money remittance center. The money was part of ECOWEB’s prize for winning as the Best Civil Society Organization during the Gawad KASALAG 2019. The money was able to purchase 14 and 1/3 cavans of high grade rice which benefitted a total of 238 beneficiaries – 92 male and 146 female. Each of them received 3 kilos of rice which cost 126.05 per pack.
CEDES staff headed by the president , Salvacion N. Basiano led the distribution of rice packs last April 24, 2020. To maintain everyone’s safety despite standing in a public area, staff took each’s body temperature using the organization’s thermal body scanner. Both staff and beneficiaries who lined up observing physical distancing were subject to temperature scanning. The distribution did not only cater those members belonging to the community’s senior citizens organizations but included others not belonging to any organization for reasons of extreme need.
“Everyone was most thankful as it has been a while since they (beneficiaries) received assistance from the LGU. Our heartfelt gratitude to ECOWEB through Executive Director Regina Antequisa, who responded positively and selflessly to our request” said she.
The distribution went well and the organization provided the acknowledgement receipt, photo documentation, and narrative report to ECOWEB as part of keeping transparency and accountability amid distance.
CEDES continues serving and giving importance to elderly people. Through localisation, the community’s situation is easier to understand and convenient to deal with especially that they know more on how to respond to this current global pandemic. There are a lot of individuals and local groups who have seen the status quo and can clearly define how change is seen in the eyes of people.
The world is an enormous battle ground to barely see the details. However, the art of localization magnifies every particulars, visible enough to be seen by the naked eye.
