In act that could shame hoarders, UP Visayas students, alumni donate food to those quarantined, stuck in dorms

ILOILO CITY–While some residents went hoarding food and other supplies thinking it would help them cope with COVID-19, students and alumni of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) in Iloilo have donated food and basic necessities to students on quarantine and those who can’t get out of the school campus in Miag-ao town, Iloilo province.

Members of the iAMUPHi, a group of alumni of the UP High School in Iloilo, have been donating food and other basic necessities to students who had gone on self-quarantine and those who are stuck at dormitories in the UPV campus in Miag-ao, some 42 km south of here.

The alumni, including those abroad, sent money to buy food and other necessities which are delivered to the dormitory.

“Many immediately responded to our appeal and we received pledges by class batches,” said Dr. Marovi Ascalon-Celis, a member of the board of trustees of the iAMUPHi.

“We understand that it is hard for the students to get food because they are quarantined and the cafeteria is closed,” she told the INQUIRER.

The quarantined students were among 60 biology and public health students who attended the 7thPhilippine Conference on Community Health at UP Manila on March 7 to 8.

Adrian Camposagrado, chair of the UPV University Student Council, said the other students opted for home quarantine.

One of the students has been confined at a hospital after experiencing sore throat, occasional coughing and nasal congestion but was not considered a Person Under Investigation, or symptomatic of COVID-19.

There was no confirmed COVID-19 case reported in Iloilo and the rest of Western Visayas as of March 15.

Help has also poured in for 174 other students who remain in their dormitories after the suspension of face-to-face classes.

These are students from outside Iloilo, including those from Mindanao and Manila.

“They cannot go home because of the travel restrictions in their home provinces. Some also opted to stay at the dormitories because they have no internet access at home for the online classes,” Camposagrado said.

He said fellow students have donated food for those stuck in dormitories. Some establishments in Miag-ao have also offered free delivery to the dormitories.

“We are thankful for those who are helping the students especially because it is difficult to get food on campus,” he said.

Camposagrado said some UPV students have experienced being stigmatized in some food establishments after false information spread that one of the students was infected.

“We urge the public not to believe the false information and rumors. We should remain calm but vigilant and just follow the precautionary measures especially hand washing and social distancing,” he said.

Edited by TSB