VILLAGE chiefs perhaps are the most bombarded local officials in the whole country today. They carry in their shoulders the duty to deliver social services amid this unchartered crisis as mandated by the national government and their local chief executives while they are also the first to receive backlash and get criticized by their disgruntled constituents. They absorb all the heat from the grassroots as they pacify the worries and anxieties of their people keeping everyone at bay.
Granada barangay captain Alfredo Talimodao, Jr. has bravely confronted the danger caused by the coronavirus disease to ensure the health and safety of the more than 27,036 constituents based on the 2015 census.
He said in his ten years of leading the village, this is the most challenging time as Covid-19 is an unseen adversary and has affected large communities not just in the city but the world.
He has redoubled their time and efforts to implement the rules and regulations imposed by the City Government of Bacolod in line with the direction of the national government and the Department of Health.
The imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has slowed down the movements of people but there were challenges in the haciendas (farms) and subdivisions.
But the police and barangay tanods are visible in the checkpoint established at the Poblacion.
The curfew and liquor ban were also implemented but there few who violated it.
The granting of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) has also its challenges where there were those who returned the money as they felt that they are not deserving to receive the assistance. But of course, everyone is affected but those who needed assistance need to be enlisted. The barangay is taking the appropriate remedy for the said situation.
Talimodao also felt sorry for the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) who don’t have their own SAP or even extra allowance for doing an extra mile to engage in a door-to-door delivery of the food packs to the more than 8,000 families in the village in the first wave of distribution. And another more than 8,000 families in the second wave. They helped in providing food packs for all classes who are affected by the ECQ due to Covid-19.
The delivery was done in two waves and unfortunately, two BHWs were bitten by dogs while performing their duties. The said BHWs were already administered with the anti-rabies vaccine to keep them safe.
“As the ECQ continues until April 30 and we still just don’t know the next directive, I appeal to the people of Barangay Granada to cooperate with the barangay in the implementation of the ECQ and better still to stay at home for those who don’t have home quarantine pass. Don’t leave your house when you don’t have any important things to do outside. This is not yet over. We will be dealing with a new normal after April 30. I hope that everyone is safe and resilient,” the village chief said.