Enabling them to still enjoy and celebrate the Christmas season, more than forty (40) families who were victims of the fire incident on August 2019 in the CDO Port’s neighboring community, received various goods from the Port Management of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro in partnership with the local chapter of the Pambansang Tinig at Lakas sa Pantalan, PPA employees’ union; Sunrise Multi-Purpose Cooperative; and, Rotary Club, a non-government organization, on 21 December 2019.

Albeit some have already re-built their homes in the same area, most of the families were still living under makeshift tents along the road proximate to the PMO’s Gate 5. In this season of sharing and giving, the PMO MO/C under the leadership of Port Manager Isidro V. Butaslac Jr. and cooperation of all PMO employees has shared goods to the families and individuals. Each household received a container loaded with uncooked rice and other goods, while their children received toys and separate treats of candies. Since it was early in the morning, the PMO personnel and members of the Rotary Club provided meals to all individuals including the little children.

After the gift-giving and feeding, the PMO personnel extended their time to bond with the children who in return, showcased their talent in dancing and cheering. They also enthusiastically participated in various games organized by the PMO.

It may be recalled that the PMO had immediately responded to the needs of the community after the fire incident by preparing and distributing breakfast meals, and consolidating in-kind donations for the displaced families. The PPA employee’s union, the PambansangLakas at Tinig ng Pantalan Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro Chapter, also distributed early Christmas gifts to the affected families during the PANTALAN’s 32nd anniversary last September. — by IMR Lam