TABUK CITY, Kalinga – A young police officer from Tinglayan and his fiancée postponed their wedding in June and donated their savings to residents whose livelihoods have been affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Pat. John Cleveland Pannogan, who joined the police force in 2018, saved about P50,000 for the wedding with girlfriend Nannete Velasco of Tuba, Benguet.
“We donated the money, instead of keeping it in the safe, to help others. We can save up again after Covid,” Pannogan said.
Since the ECQ took effect in March, mass gatherings are prohibited so the couple decided to postpone their wedding amidst the continuous threat of the coronavirus-disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
The couple donated the money through the “Adopt a Family” program of the Philippine National Police.
The program aims to encourage police personnel to help families who are in need of basic food commodities and necessary supplies during the ECQ.
“If there is force more powerful than the bullet of a gun, it is having care and concern. It is time we strengthen and put efforts together for cooperation and care for everyone,” he said on a Facebook post.
He encouraged his fellow police officers to do the same. “Atin pong ipakita ang tunay na puso ng pulis,” he said.
Pannogan, a native of Mallango, Tinglayan, currently resides at Agbannawag, Tabuk City.
Regional Mobile Force Company Commander Col. Mario Mayames also urged his men on the field to share blessings on their birthdays.
“The resources pooled will mean a lot to families who are greatly affected who lost income due to the quarantine,” he added. – Jesse Maguiya
