Sometimes, an opportunity to help comes in an unexpected time.
Wheng Clemente, a fisherfolk from Paombong, Bulacan, recently reached out to Sojitz G Auto Philippines (SGAP) asking if she can acquire the Geely billboard tarpaulins which were already taken down in exchange for at least 120 kilos of fish.
Clemente said she will use the tarpaulins to save their fishery business. “Catch basin po kasi ang lugar namin. ‘Yung tarpaulin po kasi ang magsisilbing proteksyon sa lupa sa tabi ng ilog para hindi ‘to gumuho papunta sa ilog tuwing umuulan. Tuwing gumuguho kasi ‘yung lupa, malaki ang nalulugi sa kabuhayan namin at ng iba pa naming mga kapitbahay,” Clemente said.
SGAP welcomed Clemente’s proposal and donated the fishes to Walang Iwanan Alliance, Kawa Pilipinas, and Heaven’s Touch Cuisine, charity groups that organizes feeding programs in the country. These groups facilitated the cleaning and cooking of the fish to make a sumptuous meal. Out of at least 120 kilos of tilapia, 600 people were fed in Manila and Pasay just a day before the government has placed NCR Plus under another round of enhanced community quarantine.
“It’s a win-win-win solution for everybody. Win because we get to recycle, support our local fish farmers, and at the same time give back to the community in these times,” SGAP Marketing Manager Ryan Isana said.
Since the COVID-19 crisis broke out in 2020, it has been proven that this threat won’t stop Filipinos from helping their countrymen from initiating relief operations to donating medical supplies and other products essential during the pandemic. Many companies joined forces last year in giving aid to those greatly affected by the lockdown. This Filipino bayanihan spirit has somehow made the dreadful year more bearable.
Over a year in lockdown, the country’s COVID-19 situation doesn’t seem to get better. Basing on the daily numbers, it’s even worse than last year. More people are in dire need of help. In these trying times, every kind of aid, big or small, will surely make a difference.
