Around 250 employees from one of Russia’s largest telecommunication companies visited Bohol last week and donated food packs including 200 kilos of rice to underprivileged residents of a village in Tagbilaran City as part of the firm’s social responsibility thrust.

MegaFon, previously known as North-West GSM, were met by Tagbilaran City Mayor Baba Yap and San Isidro Barangay Captain Fausto Budlong on Friday for the donation drive and a friendly basketball game between some employees of the firm and local residents.

According to Budlong, 100 “indigent” beneficiaries from the village were given two kilos of rice, one kilo of sugar, four canned goods and five packed noodles each.

The telco also donated P10,000 for the repainting and minor renovation of the barangay’s basketball court where the donation drive was held.

“Gapasalamat ta na gipili nila ang Barangay San Isdro unya in return also atong gi-abi-abi sila ato g’yung gipreparara ang atong venue, ang atong basketbolan unya ato pung gihanyo ang mga katawhan na mo cheer ug mo-lantaw sa moang duwa,” he said.

Budlong said that he was not expecting that his village would be chosen as beneficiary of the program.

“Wa namo to damha na mapili ang San Isidro kay mituyok man to sila sa [Bohol],” he added.

The telco employees were brought to Bohol by the Russia-based Podegiki Strategic Event Agency and Uni-Orient Travel Incorporated.

They also visited various tourist destinations during their five-day trip including the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, the adventure park and floating restaurant in Loboc, and Balicasag Island in Panglao before returning to Russia on Saturday. (R. Tutas)