SAN SIMON -- The 14 villages of this town received medical oxygen and other supplies for combatting coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on Sunday, August 22, 2021.

Businessman Joel "Jojo" Gutierrez, who hails from Barangay Sta. Monica here, donated and turned over the essential medical supplies to village officials of this town.

The donations included three tanks of medical oxygen in various sizes, two oxygen regulators, four gallons of rubbing alcohol, and 50,000 pieces of face masks for each barangay in town.

"Dumarami po ang kaso ng Covid-19 dito sa San Simon at maging sa labas ng aming bayan kaya lumalaki rin ang pangangailangan ng medical oxygen dito. Umaasa po ako na sa tulong ng ating mga donasyon, makakatulong tayong makasalba ng mga buhay, lalo na ng mga taong talagang tinamaan ng Covid-19," Gutierrez said.

(The number of Covid-19 cases is increasing in San Simon and outside it so our need for medical oxygen increases, too. I’m depending on donations to help us save lives, especially those infected by Covid-19.)

He added that he also donated face masks and rubbing alcohol to prevent the spread of the disease, and avoid critical life situations.

Prior to Sunday's donation, Gutierrez has been donating face masks, face shields, rubbing alcohol with dispensers, and temperature scanners to teachers, tricycle drivers, frontliners and other members of the communities since the start of the pandemic.

"Mas gusto po natin sana na hangga't maaari, maagapan natin na hindi sila mainfect ng Covid-19 dahil ayaw po natin umabot doon sa mag-agaw buhay sila," he said.

(As much as possible, we would like to provide measures to help them from getting infected with Covid-19 because we don’t want the virus to rob their lives.)

Gutierrez, who is engaged in the refilling and distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) business in Antipolo, Rizal, said his donations are his way of giving thanks to his hometown, and sharing his blessing to his fellow Simonians.

The 53-year-old businessman grew up and finished his high school education in town before he took his college degree and pursued business outside of his hometown.

"Noong lockdown po, medyo lumaki ang kita natin sa business dahil nahilig sa pagluluto ang mga tao dahil nasa bahay lang. Instead of solohin ko po ang kita ko, ishinare ko po sa aking mga kabalen dito sa San Simon," he said.

(During the lockdown, our business income slightly increased because many households preferred to cook at home while staying at home. I want to share with the constituents of San Simon.)

Meanwhile, Barangay Sta. Monica Kagawad Roel Mandap, who received the donation, expressed gratitude to Gutierrez for his concern and generosity to his fellow Simonians.

"Sa ngayon, meron kaming dalawang oxygen tanks dito sa barangay pero pareho na pong nahiram kaya malaking tulong po itong donasyon ni Mr. Jojo Gutierrez kung sakali pong may mangailangan pa sa ating mga kabarangay," he said.

(For now, we have two oxygen tanks in the barangay, but these have been borrowed already. This is why Mr. Jojo Guiterrez’s donation is a big help in case there is a need for medical oxygen by one of our constituents.)

He added that face masks and alcohol will be distributed to barangay workers and residents in the barangay who need them.