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Entertainment amid relief operations in Industrial Valley, Marikina

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Rick Olivares

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/03/30/20200330-marikina-coronavirus-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>The officials of Barangay Industrial Valley Complex in Marikina City. Photo provided by author</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA -- Serving a community in lockdown sometimes takes a novel approach.At Barangay Industrial Valley Complex in Marikina City, barangay captain Fernando Mira and kagawads Susan Catedrilla, Winston Coloma, Teresita Publico, Elmer Corrales, Wilfredo Songcuan, Erwin Manila, Charmberly Sandow, Libertad Dipon, and Ronald Porras have, in addition to their duties, have gone out of their way to entertain its community.When distributing relief goods such as rice and eggs, they collectively serenade its citizenry that has for the most part been afraid to go outdoors. “Kapag naghatid kami ng relief goods, ina-announce muna namin na may pagkain, tapos kinakantahan namin,” Mira said. The barangay officials go around with a portable karaoke, singing pop songs. “Kahit konting sandali ma-entertain ang mga tao at makalimutan &#x27;yung problema na dala ng COVID-19,” he saisThe moment the national government declared a lockdown, kagawad Publico started an on online community raffle (that other areas have since adopted) where they give away rice and other items. “Sa ngayon meron mga higit sa 6,000 (out of the 23,000 residents that make up the area that includes the subdivisions of Industrial Valley, Monte Vista, Cinco Hermanos, and Olandes) na kasali sa raffle. Ginagawa namin itong live so nakikita ng taong bayan,” she said.For Corrales, who is in charge of the peace and order committee, it’s also serving as a one-man delivery for the elderly who cannot go out and buy medicines. Like all other barangay officials across the country and those in the medical, police, and military professions, they are in the frontline. “Ito naman ang rason kung bakit namin ipinasok ito,” pointed out Porras. “Heto &#x27;yung public service.”The officials admit that there is a fear of contracting the virus. They are not only running low on disinfectants, but they too have been working long hours (along with the 15-man police force assigned to the area). “Kahit naman may social distancing, madalas din kami rito nasa labas,” Mira said. “Sumusunod naman pa rin kami sa protocol pero hindi mo rin masabi.”<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/03/30/20200330-marikina-coronavirus-2.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>The officials of Barangay Industrial Valley Complex in Marikina City. Photo provided by author</figcaption></figure></div>Industrial Valley has listed five people under quarantine (one, the carrier who traveled abroad, has passed away). But other than that, the officials have kept a tight watch on its populace. “&#x27;Yung challenges namin ay &#x27;yung mga casual workers tulad ng mga tricycle drivers, mga construction workers at mga nagtratrabaho sa mga malls ng SM na nawalan ng hanap-buhay sa ngayon,” added Mira.The barangay officials are able to distribute some 600 meals to those severely affected by the lockdown. They realize it is not enough. They can only wait for donations or budgets from the city government. “We can re-allocate some funds for relief efforts, but what we are worried about is if this lockdown stretches past April 14,” said Porras in Filipino. Industrial Valley being located next to the volatile Marikina River is often hard hit during typhoons (not to mention living on the West Valley fault line). A large part was underwater during Ondoy and the succeeding monsoons. “Sana tapos na itong lockdown at virus pagdating ng tag-ulan dahil sari-saring problema ulit &#x27;yan,” Mira said.&quot;Sa ngayon, trabaho lang and sana gumaan na ng sitwasyon,” summed up Mira.For any donations for Industrial Valley, Marikina, you may calllook them up on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrgyIVC">Facebook at Brgy. IVC</a>.