Displaced wooden-hulled motorbanca crews continue to receive assistance and support from different agencies, groups and institutions within and outside the island province of Guimaras.
According to the Information Section of the Office of the Governor, around 500 crews suffered from loss of job and income following the phase out of the wooden-hulled motorboats plying Guimaras-Iloilo route vice versa starting December 31, 2020 due to modernization of sea transport.
Over the weekend, a fund-raising activity was initiated by the Guimaras Riders Group aimed at generating funds to purchase goods to be given to the displaced motorbanca crews .
Some 630 riders joined the three-hour fund drive dubbed “Charity Ride for the Sakayanons” which kicked off at Buenavista wharf, 1 P.M. of January 24. The drive passed through the municipalities of Jordan, Nueva Valencia, Sibunag and San Lorenzo.
Participants and sponsors were all given a certificate of appreciation in recognition of their invaluable efforts and their unwavering support to the pumpboat crews popularly called as “sakayanons.”
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, according to the Information Section of the Governor.
Aside from the Guimaras Riders Group, the Provincial Government of Guimaras, Office of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other agencies have also extended help to the affected individuals.Guimaras Information Section/ JSC/laf/PIA6 Iloilo
