BASKETBALL'S temporary loss is the needy's eventual gain for Cagayan de Oro City in time of pandemic.
This, as around 100-strong members of Team CDO basketball under the guidance of Mayor Oscar Moreno play a vital role in the smooth and fast dispatch of relief goods including food and household items to the less fortunate families.
With City Sports Coordinator Jaymar Rivera leading the charge, the local hoopers assisted the majority female workers and volunteers of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in facilitating the release of 560 food packs to Barangay Bonbon on Friday, June 12.
"The mayor had told us to help the DSWD people in the distribution of relief goods kay maglisod gyod daw sila knowing that most of them are female. We divided the group from 20 to 25 each who will have assigned day for the purpose," Rivera told SunStar Cagayan de Oro.
Each pack consists of 10 kilos of rice, one whole dressed chicken, and canned goods.
"Since three months na mi nga walay dula-dula, kining pagtabang sa mga buluhaton in time of pandemic is worth the effort kay dala na sab exercise," said volunteer Charome Marte from Metrobank.
Their biggest haul so far was in Barangay Carmen with the largest voting population of close to 80,000 among the 80 urban and rural barangays in the city.
"At least 10,000 packs ang na-distribute sa grupo in Carmen. And its a great sigh of relief to see the smiles among the faces of the people in dire need. Maka-happy kaayo bawi ang kakapoy," added Marte.
Five-time Ballpals most valuable player Bobby Diaz said it is a great feeling for the people to appreciate what they've been doing around the city.
"Our OSM approach is very effective nagamit gyod among drills sa basketball nga pasa-pasa nalingaw ang mga tao. It's really organized system management," Diaz said.
Mayor Emmanuel Mugot, a sharpshooter from Gitagum, Misamis Oriental, also came to show support.
Top Cagayan de Oro cagers who actively participate in the meaningful drive include Boning Biongcog, Jeff Morial, Bodie Tamparong, Elmor del Puerto, Ivan Tongco, Jun Daanoy, Wellan Munoz, Pao Villar, Loloy Casino, Allan Enteria, JR Abato, Nick Jabagat, Diding Rivera and Boyet Burias.