Kibungan youth help ease impacts of COVID pandemic

With the Covid-19 crisis taking its toll on people’s lives, the Sangguniang Kabataan of Kibungan, Benguet engaged in activities that ease the impacts of the pandemic in their area.
During the recent Laging Handa network briefing of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, SK Kibungan federation president Krizza Mae Balawen said her fellow youth distributed hygiene kits in schools and did activities like painting and spoken poetry to maintain one’s mental health.
Dubbed as “Oplan Waras” (Operation Distribution) or #Oplan#Waras, the SK distributed hygiene kits to four elementary schools and 10 child development centers.
Also provided with sanitation kits were the Madaymen barangay hall and Kibungan extension office.  
Balawen said they also gave kits for use of teachers who report to school from time to time.
The kits worth P250,000 contained face mask, face shield, alcohol, basic toiletries, and disinfectants.
School and office supplies worth P30,000 were also provided to the child development centers workers.
Balawen added during the celebration of the Linggo ng Kabataan last October 2020, the SK focused their activities on keeping the youth’s mental wellbeing during the pandemic by conducting spoken poetry and amateur painting contests.
The SK also assisted the local government in the distribution of relief goods, devising database of the Social Amelioration Program subsidy, distribution of health declaration forms, and information education campaign on the adherence to Covid-19 health protocols.
These activities provided the youth an avenue for professional and personal growth.  Their engagement with the community also gave them the opportunity to enhance their communication and leadership skills.
“I was surprised I am able to accomplish things I didn’t know I was capable of,” Balawen said.
She encouraged the youth to be cooperative and to participate more, as she hopes their full cooperation this year will be seen not only in the fight against Covid-19 but in all the activities of the SK. – Susan C. Aro