Out of the azure seas and sky is Gina Island (pronounced with a “g” as in gasoline). It is part of the Tagbanwa ancestral domain claim of Tara-Pali (Buenavista)-Malawig in Coron, Palawan. The island is accessible by boat from the surrounding barangays.

Even while the Calamianes Tagbanwa community in Gina Island is seemingly distant from the threat of the spread of COVID-19, they were not spared from the impact of the enforced community quarantine. The families experienced food shortages, as they were unable to sell the meager fish catch that they usually depend on for their daily income. With the tourism businesses closed down in Coron, prices of fresh fish and other harvests from the seas had dropped. 

Samdhana Institute facilitated the provision of rice relief to the 10 families residing in Gina Island last April 30, 2020. The total population is 45, of this 20 individuals are aged 15 and below. The main livelihood is fishing, and small patches of land is feasible for planting cassava during the rainy months. They received 10-kilos rice for each family. The rice assistance was supported by Ms. Patricia Araneta, one of the movers with the partnership between the Calamian Tagbanwa communities in North Palawan, Samdhana and the Philippine Women University. 

Samdhana will also be providing rice relief to another 10 families in Dipagal, which is another area in Gina Island.