By Christina Hermoso
The Jesuits and the De La Salle Brothers have joined hands to assist families who were badly affected by the on-going enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Food packs prepared by volunteers at the Ateneo de Manila University for the vulnerable families in Metro Manila. Photo courtesy of JCAP/BIEN CRUZ SJ / via CBCP / MANILA BULLETIN)
They have so far raised more than P10 million to feed around 500 street dwellers staying in safe shelters and over 6,000 urban poor families in Metro Manila, a Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) News post said.
The Jesuits and the De La Salle Brothers run two of the biggest schools in the country, Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and De La Salle University (DLSU), respectively. The two schools are known rivals in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), the country’s biggest collegiate league.
“Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic knows no competition and reminds us of our ability to come together in times of great need,” the Jesuits said in an article posted on their website.
DLSU was one of the first schools to provide temporary shelter to street dwellers in Manila who were affected by the lockdown. La Salle Greenhills also provided shelter for health workers of The Medical City.
Graduates from both schools who are now part of the entertainment industry also took part in the Bayanihan Musikahan, an online fundraising concert series led by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. The initiative has so far raised more than P40 million and has provided assistance to more than 16,000 urban poor families in Metro Manila.
The Ateneo has also initiated a fund drive to provide personal protective equipment for hospital workers and food packs for families who lost their source of livelihood due to the ECQ. (Christina I. Hermoso)