CEBU, Philippines — Around 100 porters in Carbon Public Market were the recipients of a Father’s Day present dubbed as “Gasa Pasalamat Alang sa mga Amahan” held at Malacañang sa Sugbo initiated by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Friday morning.
CCPO director, Police Colonel Josefino Ligan, said this group was also part of their advocacy group that stands as force multipliers.
“So naa natay lista, naa natay mga pangalan, naa natay numbers ana nila, so anytime whenever naay kaguliyang or major concern sa barangay, sila na gyud na atong ma-tap dayon,” said Ligan.
Ligan said that these porters are effective force multipliers since they are always on the ground who knew the ways of the Carbon Market too well.
“Siya nakabalo og kinsa ng mga tawhana, sayon ra kaayo ang pagduol, pag-identify, labi na og mga estranghero nga wala nila kaila nga maoy nibuhat og sala so dali ra nila ma identify,” he added.
Offered by the cops for the celebration were free medical services, haircut, massage, food packs, and hygiene kits.
Ligan said that they only picked at least a hundred from the association to make sure that the minimum health standard protocols will not be compromised during the program.
“Akong gitahasan akong mga station commanders para maoy mo-determine sa mga recipients ani nila, karon ni volunteer ang taga Station 5 kay namugna na na nila na-organize na nila ning group sa BEKA (Barangay Ermita Kargador Association),” said Ligan.
These fathers were members of the BEKA who worked as porters in the Carbon Public Market with the use of their cart commonly known as “kariton.”
For the Cebu City government, Dante Arcilla who represented acting Mayor Mike Rama said the event was also their way of expressing gratitude towards the porters, adding that there are more activities to extend help for this sector.
Arcilla also said that the city has already laid down plans to involve the civilians to help the community rise from the pandemic.
“Para ma-normalize ang atong ekomoniya kay mao gyuy gikinahanglan sa atong nga kaigsuonan,” said Arcilla.
Meanwhile, Police Lt. Colonel Reggie Real said the activity is also a way for the PNP to reach out to the community.
Aside from this, they are also set to conduct an oath taking of the advocacy group that the Police Regional Office (PRO-7) has recently organized.
“Hindi lang ito ang ating advocacy group, actually we are organizing 10 groups so from this one, makikita natin lahat ng officers by first of July,” Real said.
Among the recipients was 70-year-old Sumillo Painlip who has been working as a porter for 20 years already. He expressed gratitude to the government for giving them the opportunity. He has two kids.
According to him, he worked as a porter since he doesn’t have anything to do back at home and being a porter is the only thing he knows. — GMR (FREEMAN)