Generosity overflows in Eastern Visayas as donors give masks, food, drinks to help in COVID-19 fight

TACLOBAN CITY—Generosity overflowed in Eastern Visayas, with individuals and businesses donating what they can to help the region overcome COVID-19.

Food chains and individual donors in the city had given masks and food to health workers and those manning health checkpoints.

A dress shop here produced more than 200 masks which were delivered to health workers in different hospitals. Focus was on the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) where the region’s 19 persons under investigation (PUI), or those with COVID-19 symptoms, are on quarantine.

Pepsi Bottling Company also donated boxes of energy drinks and bottled water to policemen at checkpoints.

A retired soldier, who declined to be identified, donated face shields which he made using acetate and elastic band at the checkpoints.

While the city government has funds to procure items essential in the fight against COVID-19, City Administrator Aldrin Quebec said lack of supply hampered plans.

Officials of the village of San Roque in Oras town, Eastern Samar distributed canned goods, rice, fruits and vegetables in the hope of giving healthy food to residents.

Researchers of the Samar State University in Catbalogan City, Samar provinde donated gallons of hand sanitizers to seven villages in Catbalogan.

A group of individuals calling themselves “Jesus Loves You,” donated five kilograms of rice to 40 pedicab drivers in Naval, Biliran, whose income suffered a drastic drop due to COVID-19.

Another private group, “Balik Biliran,” also donated boxes of face to the Biliran Provincial Hospital.

At least 500 washable face masks were donated by a private establishment to the Ormoc City government which will distribute these to health workers.

In Eastern Samar province, the Ayala Foundation donated 2,000 N90 masks and Sen. Manny Pacquiao donated 6,000.

Edited by TSB