March 29, 2024

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A group of Good Samaritans distributed on April 15 around 17,000 kilograms of squash to residents of four villages here.

The donation came from members of the KaraBaSa group (Karamay ng Bayan sa Aksyon Covid-19). Karabasa is also an Iloco word for squash.

Those who benefited from the donation are residents of barangays Sucbot, Balong, Dilag, Cabaruan, Laya West, Laya East, Dagupan West, Casigayan, and some parts of San Juan and Ubbog.

Some 15,000 kilos of squash were bought by 12 individuals from Pudtol, Apayao and the additional 2,000 kilograms were donated by the supplier.

“We want to give back for their good gesture,” said a member of the KaraBaSa, as the group recalled how Tabuk sent Apayao sacks of rice in previous calamities.

Kalinga is Apayao’s immediate neighbor province in the Cordillera. The two provinces used to be known as the province of Kalinga-Apayao before it was separated 25 years ago, which gave each political and jurisdictional independence from each other.

The KaraBaSa group advocates consumption of vegetables, especially in the middle of the Covid-19 when people are asked to boost their immune system by eating vegetables.

The group found the significance of squash in terms of viability of supply, nutritional content, and its economic impact.

Apayao produces high quantity vegetables with its vast agricultural land, among them is squash.

The group said the “summer squash” or the yellow variety of squash provides numerous health benefits. It is high in vitamins A, B6, and C, folate, magnesium, fiber, riboflavin, phosphorus, and potassium.

Yellow squash is also rich in manganese, which helps strengthen the bones and helps the body process fats and carbohydrates.

KaRaBasa gave squash as a relief item because aside from the fact that it does not contain preservatives, it is not easily perishable compared to other greens and does not need to be wrapped for it has a thick layer that is also biodegradable. – Jesse Maguiya