Displaced Guimarasnon boat crews receive relief packs

A total of 463 crews and manifesto in-charge personnel of the phased out wooden-hulled motorbancas received assistance from the Provincial Government of Guimaras (PGG).

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) facilitated the second batch of distribution of relief packs to 248 crews of Jordan Motorbanca Cooperative (JMBC) at the JMBC Office in Rizal, Jordan, Guimaras on February 8, 2021.

Meanwhile, 215 displaced crews and manifesto in-charge personnel of Buenavista Motorbanca Owners and Sailors Association (BAMOSA) received their relief packs at the BAMOSA Office in Sto. Rosario, Buenavista on February 5, 2021.

Each relief pack included 35 kilos of rice and canned goods.

The initiative aims to help the displaced crews and personnel of the wooden-hulled boats plying the Guimaras-Iloilo route vice versa which were phased out due to the modernization program implemented by the Department of Transportation.

The first batch of distribution was held last January 4 and January 7, 2021 where recipients received 10 kilos of rice and canned goods.

The activity was conducted in compliance with the necessary health and safety protocols to avoid the further spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Moreover, the PGG headed by Governor Samuel T. Gumarin, MD, MPH also turned over PHP6 million to the motorbanca associations on January 13, 2021.

Captain Neri Tejing, president of Buenavista Motorbanca Owners and Sailors Association (BAMOSA), received the check for PHP3 million in behalf of their organization while Mr. Fernando Enalpe, chairman of the Board of Jordan Motorbanca Cooperative (JMBC), received the other check also for PHP3 million.

The financial assistance is the counterpart funding of the provincial government for the procurement of additional units of fiberglass vessels that will ply the Guimaras-Iloilo (vice versa) route.