PLDT’s donations are received by, from left: Silungang Molave staff Joshua Ventura and Imelda V. Mauhay. With them is Alagang Kapatid Foundation staff Both staff Raynan Soliman.
Ensconced in a quiet section of the University of the Philippines (UP) complex in Diliman Quezon City is a newly renovated dormitory that now lay witness to the ravages of the long drawn out COVID-19 pandemic. What used to be the Molave Residence Hall has now been transformed into a COVID-19 facility, nursing COVID-19 positive back to the pink of health
In a bid to help broaden its assistance to institutions in overcoming the challenges of the pandemic, the Philippines’ largest integrated telco PLDT has started supporting UP’s Silungang Molave’s drive, easing the overcapacity in the National Capital Region’s hospitals. As the facility started its 24/7 operations last August, PLDT has since donated 100 blankets to the facility, which has provided shelter to at least 323 people.
In photo is the Silungang Molave COVID isolation facility.
Through the Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc., PLDT reached out to Silungang Molave to help the small community. Silungang Molave has also partnered with the UP Health Service, which provided part of the staff, including nurses, food attendants, administrative assistants and medical technicians. The health facility also provided ambulances and laboratory services.
“The UP Diliman administration has generously allocated funds for such an initiative,” said Silungang Molave Facility Health Manager Dr. Jesusa T. Catabui.
According to Catabui, the rise in COVID-19 cases compelled the medical staff to request for public assistance. “Donations of mattresses, beddings and electric fans were a priority, but our consumables were also fast dwindling – alcohol, disinfectants, toiletries, hygiene kits, PPEs, among others. Later, we also needed cash donations,” Catabui said.
Donations poured in from individuals and UP alumni groups and even the private sector. “PLDT’s blanket donations are indispensable items for our patients. We are grateful for your generous donation. Indeed, this is not just our fight as healthcare workers. We need everyone’s support to really heal as one,” Catabui said.
“There is a need to come together to help the communities most severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even more so, we want to ensure that our frontline healthcare workers also have the resources that they need to fight this battle. We hope that our donation for the Silungang Molave facility will help provide comfort to their patients,” said PLDT Community Relations Head Katherine P. Diaz De Rivera.
The efforts of PLDT and its affiliates are aligned with company’s commitment to helping the Philippines attain the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG #3: Good Health and Well-being.
