San Nicolas Proper brgy officials, staff commended for charity works

The Cebu City Council has commended and recognized San Nicolas Proper barangay captain Clifford Jude Niñal, his staff, and the Barangay Council for their “selfless and noble efforts in addressing the needs and caring for the poor and homeless families and individuals” in the said barangay.

Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa sponsored a resolution regarding the matter which was approved by the council Wednesday.

Abellanosa said that during the COVID-19 pandemic which started in the year 2020, hundreds of people died here in the city, lost their jobs and other means of livelihood owing to the closure of businesses resulting to the downfall of the economy which was severely compounded by the devastation brought about by Typhoon Odette in December 16, 2021.

As a result and after effect of the pandemic and Typhoon Odette, several families and individuals were left homeless and without any means of livelihood and support here in the city, more particularly in Barangay San Nicolas Proper.

Abellanosa said that presently, there are 254 homeless individuals, 110 homeless families, and three homeless individuals with serious mental illness, or individuals commonly known as "taong grasa,” who are being housed and cared for in the shelter in the said barangay.

He said these homeless individuals and families are presently being fed, cared for, given sustenance, and are being sheltered by the Barangay Council of San Nicolas Proper through the leadership of their barangay chairman.

He added that the food and other means of financial support spent for these families and individuals come from well-meaning individuals, some volunteer groups, and the officials in the barangay.

“However, such support being purely voluntary and not on a regular basis, more often than not, falls short and is not enough to sustain the needs of these families, so the support would come from the personal funds of Barangay Captain Clifford Jude G. Niñal himself and some of his staff,” said Abellanosa.

“Because of such noble and selfless acts of Barangay Captain Clifford Jude G. Niñal, his staff, and the Barangay Council of San Nicolas Proper, it is proper to give them commendation and recognition in addressing theneedsandcaringforthepoorandhomeless families and individuals in the barangay even to the extent of using their own personal funds for such endeavor,” he added.

The council likewise moved for the City of Cebu to extend assistance to the Barangay Council of San Nicolas Proper through the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP) in conducting skills training, education and economic strengthening in its Pilot Livelihood Program to the homeless families and individuals being housed and taken care of in the said barangay.

Abellanosa said the Barangay Council of San Nicolas Proper has seen and realized the need of giving support and aid to these homeless individuals and families through the said program as they cannot forever solely rely on the barangay for their subsistence and that eventually they will become capable of providing for themselves and their needs. —