DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, July 26 (PIA) -- The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation in Siaton, Negros Oriental embarked on two major programs that would benefit their community amid the pandemic. 

Siaton SK Federation Pres. Ritzan Michael Quezon, in an interview with Presidential Communications Operations Office Sec. Martin Andanar during the PCOO Network Briefing News (NBN) recently, that they focused on repairing and renovating the sports facilities in every barangay in their town. 

“It is also a blessing in disguise na ipinagbabawal ang paglalaro kasi napapaayos namin ang sira-sirang sports facilities in our area. We are taking the advantage (of this time) to renovate our sports facilities just like basketball courts na hindi na gaano ka smooth ang flooring. We are also doing construction of additional basketball courts (The directive to ban sporting events became a blessing in disguise because we were able to repair sports facilities in our area. We are taking advantage of this time to renovate our sports facilities like basketball courts. We are also constructing additional basketball courts),” Quezon said.

He also emphasized the importance of promoting sports advocacy among the youth. 

Quezon said another project their SK Federation implemented is the Bigas sa Basura Program where households are encouraged to collect sacks of trash and give them to the barangay in exchange for five kilos of rice.

Quezon cited Brgy. Bonawon where the residents gather the trash items discarded along the public beach.

Once they fill one sack with trash, they will forward it to the barangay in exchange for rice.

"We gave 5 kilograms of rice to more than 300 individuals and families,” Quezon said.

He also noted the public’s strong support to this initiative, saying that many households have participated in this program and turned over sacks of trash within a week of the program's implementation. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)