10 #KwentongBABAYEnihan in Brgy. Balete, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro

BABAYEnihan against COVID-19 has reached Brgy. Balete, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro!

Rice distribution among Alangan Mangyan in Brgy. Balete, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro (26 May 2020).

It was a challenging task for our indigenous women partners taking the lead in this solidarity work. To buy rice, she had to go to Calapan, and on the way back to the barangay, had to pass through 2 military checkpoints. But she had all the documents ready - quarantine pass, distribution pass which she got from their barangay. And at some point, she told the military,

"Wala na nga kayong binibigay na tulong, ipagbabawal niyo pa kami. Hindi naman niyo pananagutan kung may mamamatay sa gutom ang mga tao." (You do not give help to us, and here you are, not allowing us to pass through. But you will not even take responsibility if people die of hunger.)

Mabuhay po kayo, mga kasama, mga kabaro! 

We will share with you stories and photos when available of how your support has reached our indigenous women partners and their families. 

Maraming salamat po. Thank you for the support and solidarity. We feel the love.