Seventy-five all-male porters capture the attention of many benevolent people around. It was when the Port of Pilar undergone a make-over since June this year, it manifests several changes not only in its structural set-up but more importantly, its quality management system has been in place and new supervisors were named.

 

Meetings were undertaken to start reaching out to these workers, whose livelihood have been affected by the ECQ stop operation policy when pandemic strikes in 2020. Reorganization of Pilar Port Labor Association and Reorientation of Port Policies were administered in June 2021 upon assumption to office by Port Supervisor Joel F. Navora and his Assistant Jikiri John Llarena thru an Office Order No. 107 series of 2021 issued by Mayor Carolyn C. Sy-Reyes on May 31, 2021.

 

All other initiatives were undertaken, topmost is the imposition of regular wearing of uniforms and IDs while at Port Premises, client courtesies and proper handling attitudes and work ethics. Uniforms are given for free. After a month of monitoring, an incentive was awarded to Mr. Antonio Esclares being named as Porter of the Month. It aimed at rewarding an act while imposing discipline among them. It ensured that abiding to office policies and protocols shall be recognized and wrongful acts shall be set right.

 

To guarantee that Pilar Port is providing a safe and healthy working condition, the need to provide protection while at work is imperative. For this, Port Supervisor coordinated the Social Security System Sorsogon Branch to orient the Porters on the benefit package of the social insurance program for the workers and their families. The orientation was conducted on July 5, 2021 by the SSS Administrative Officer to the porters.

 

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Guidelines, workers shall be protected through the use of appropriate practices, means, methods, operations or processes, and working conditions reasonably necessary to ensure safe and healthful employment. It is the commitment of the LGU to ensure compliant to this. Councilors Emmanuel H. Sia and Lilibeth Lao of the Sangguniang Bayan, jointly shared their resources, to give pairs of shoes and socks to the porters to match the uniforms provided for them. The distribution was done on July 19, 2021.

 

When it rain, it pours, the gift-giving continues to flood the port area in order to touch the lives of the porters. A new set of blue uniform was awarded on August 27, 2021 for the porters from the Department Of Tourism(DOT) former Regional Director Maria “Nini” Ravanilla. Moreso, relief goods were given away by Board Member Ed Atutubo enough to feed the family for some time. Just recently, before August ends, Ms,Dette Escudero distributed 150 pcs of uniforms to the porters, a guarantee that there will be no reason at all, not to be in uniform while on duty at port making a living while showing off dignity of work as presentable as they could be.

 

It takes a POWER OF ONE that changes...

This I learned from one of the homilies I listened to, indeed the power of giving is a power of the heart and not of the pocket. Those benevolence showed to the informal sector of the community like the porters stayed within them, it occupies a special spot in their hearts while the giver allows a special space in their hearts, too to be occupied by the blessings from God.

 

The job being in the Port Area isn’t easy, it exposes one to different risks and dangers, including changes in weather conditions, it reveals different kinds of people from all walks of life that just needed one SMILE to make them simply love the place and enjoy the stay and the journey that PILAR PORT is committed to give. And it definitely needs one courteous and kind porter to keep you company and carry your baggage safely. ( by Pilar PIO)