ROTARY International District 3850 Governor Louie Gonzaga paid a visit to the Rotary Club of Bacolod-East (RCBE) recently to discuss various Rotary activities and measures amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
RCBE President Belinda Siason and her fellow officers and members welcomed Governor Louie during his visit held at O hotel on San Sebastian Street, Bacolod City.
It was a pleasant discussion on how Rotarians survive the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in terms of extending service to the community.
It was a bit challenging considering that the physical movements of the people during the quarantine period were regulated which also affected the conduct of the regular meeting face-to-face.
Despite the risk of meeting together, RCBE officers and members gathered most safely to honor the Governor during his club visit.
RCBE usually holds their club meetings via Zoom of which the Governor saw the need to make use of the technology in conducting the affairs of the Rotary Clubs.
Governor Louie was glad to learn that RCBE continues to extend assistance to the community despite the risk of the Covid-19.
President Siason reported that more or less 200 senior citizens in the upland of Bacolod City were able to receive food packs from the club.
It was pleasing to hear that services continued to be extended despite the Covid lockdowns and quarantine measures, said Governor Louie, adding that, "we were able to deliver the services that benefit the community despite the health risk.
He just emphasized to the RCBE club officers and members to take the necessary precautions when serving the community by wearing masks, practicing social distancing and washing our hands after we do our activities, which we usually do.
He recalled that "even when we were kids, we were taught to wash hands regularly. And when you go out, take a bath before we reunite with our households or family members. We were brought up that way."
With precautionary measures in place, he urged Rotarians to go beyond and not stay boxed in as long as we are doing it safely.
He also shared his discussion with past president Dr. Hector Gayares of the Mother Club, who relayed to him that having a healthy immune system will help us fight the Covid-19 by practicing preventive measures that will help reinforce our immune system by engaging in outdoor exercise.
Between 7 to 9 in the morning, engage in walking or any outdoor exercise because sunlight is the source of Vitamin D. Walk under the trees as it also helps boost the immune system. When we take a hot bath and wash with a cold shower, that helps stimulate our immune system. We can survive by taking those precautions. If we are diligently doing these practices, then we are on your way to fighting Covid-19.
There is so much to be done as Rotarians.
"We have another focus of action which is to take care of the environment. Planting vegetables is also very crucial. Projects on livelihood and health are very important. We should also be ready to serve again by organizing communities to be trained in food production. We have to go all out but with precautions," he said.
There are new heroic acts that Rotarians need to immerse such as helping the communities survive the bad times.
He also urged them to continue to give to the Rotary Foundation because this is where Rotarians can help a large number of communities here and abroad through grants.
He complimented the RCBE for sustaining the purpose of Rotary International which is service to fellow men.
He also encouraged them to engage in Rotary Friendship Exchange where Rotarians are allowed to immerse with their fellow Rotarians who are living in the country and even abroad and vice versa.
This is the source of the global grants, he said.