UP fraternity joins fight against COVID-19
LOS BANOS, Laguna — True to its principles of brotherhood and service, the University of the Philippines (UP) Beta Sigma Fraternity through its Operation Big Brother program, heed to the call for community action and support in the continuing fight against COVID-19.
Considered by the World Health Organization as a pandemic, the new coronavirus has infected over 2 million worldwide and claimed the lives of more than 100,000. In the Philippines alone, more than 6,000 tested positive and 300 plus died, according to the latest count of the Department of Health.
“Our fraternity lives up to our ideals of service to the community. Our annual Operation Big Brother program shifted to the COVID response project. We help the community by providing relief during disasters, gifts during Christmas, and medical missions. Now, we respond to the crisis by bringing together our brothers in serving the stranded students, UP personnel and staff frontliners, and the frontliners in public and private hospitals in Laguna,” said Rupert Ambil.
Through the donations of several stakeholders, alumni, and friends, the organization was able to received P650,106 cash and in-kind donations that enabled them to do the following:
Production of 1,633 face shields that were donated to 19 hospitals, health centers, police and military
P110,400 to support the stranded students in UP Los Banos through a donation to the University Housing Authority and procurement of food, water, and hygiene kits.
510 personal protective equipment (PPE) suits procured for 16 hospitals in Laguna.
Oplan Hatid was able to distribute P28,000 worth of food and water support for the frontliners and students of UPLB and P21,000 worth of surgical masks distributed to students.
Recipients of initiative of UP Beta Sigma were thankful for the donations, further saying that these donations will greatly help the fight against COVID-19.
“Please know that your support in these difficult times is very much appreciated by your beneficiaries,” Dr. Rene Bagamasbad of Laguna Provincial Health Office said in a letter to UP Beta Sigma.
The fraternity will continue working with several organizations to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
“Kami po ay nandito para tulungan ang mga bayani sa bayanihan,” Ambil added.
For more information about this initiative, please contact Rupert Ambil at 0917 531 2046 or [email protected]
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
