Catanduanes receive essential medical equipment and educational materials from the Church

VIRAC, CATANDUANES - To continue its mission to follow the Savior Jesus Christ’s example to love and serve each other, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints turned over essential medical equipment to the Eastern Bicol Medical Center (EBMC) and educational materials to the Schools Division Office (SDO) and the San Miguel South District, both in Catanduanes, in consecutive turnover ceremonies last August 8, 2023.

Stakeholders, including Catanduanes Governor Joseph “Buboy” Cua, gathered in three (3) separate events on the same day, with Catanduanes District (Diocese) President Ruel Cajuday representing the Church alongside Elder and Sister Hayne, Church humanitarian service missionaries. Donations were intended to augment the facilities of the hospital, help support numerical and literacy programs and provide assistance to elementary school teachers and students.

“A Wish Come True” for EBMC

EBMC Chief Nurse Miss Salve Tabo, called the donations “a wish come true” and said that the Church is an instrument to fulfill the needs of others. Donations to EBMC included baby cribs, portable operating room (OR) lights, infusion and syringe pumps, nebulizers, laryngoscope sets, warmers, bassinets, Billi lights, autoclaves, incubators, pulse oximeters, examination and delivery tables and various essential machines for hospital use (ECG, suction, OBG Doppler and cautery). The equipment will help furnish the facilities of the Obstetric Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (OB-NICU) of the hospital.

Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Hazel A. Palmes noted that the event marked another milestone in the history of the partnership of the Church and EBMC that went beyond the normal norms of religion and healthcare. Governor Cua also expressed his gratitude to the Church, saying: “Your organization truly lives up to its name, and your generosity will impact many lives and reignite hope during difficult times,” he said.

Elder and Sister Hayne, humanitarian service missionaries of the Church, shared their happiness in helping facilitate the turnover. Elder Hayne further expressed how delighted he was to finally put the equipment in the hands of the people who save lives.

“Christmas Came Early” for Catanduanes SDO

The Catanduanes SDO, which oversees 264 elementary and 42 secondary schools in Catanduanes, warmly welcomed the donations. Schools Division Superintendent, Socorro V. Dela Rosa, remarked: “Christmas has come early to the Division Office... These [gifts] will go a long way in the education of the children… these are gifts, and you are blessings.”

The educational supplies donated were intended for the top 20 schools with the highest number of students required to take “Full Refreshers” in literacy and numeracy programs. Refreshers are part of the Learning Recovery Plan programs set by the Department of Education to help learners with low levels of mastery of their subjects in previous grade levels.

The donation included sets of big story books, beginning reading materials (Mother Tongue, Filipino and English), math manipulatives (flats, longs and ones), math flashcards (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division), LCD writing tablets, whiteboard tablets, and dry erase markers.

Ms. Luisa T. Dela Rosa, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, emphasized that the “gifts” will benefit the children. “In the name of education, we are one’’, she added. Mr. Romel G. Petajen, Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) Chief also expressed his gratitude as these donations will be the beginning for their students to love learning more.

Happiness and Gratitude from the San Miguel South District

The San Miguel South District is a school district serving pupils in the fifth-class municipality of San Miguel in the middle south part of the island of Catanduanes. The school district received computer equipment and school materials including laptops, a flat-screen TV, an LCD projector, printers and ink, bond paper and storybooks. They also received a deep well water pump and construction supplies for schoolroom and hall repairs.

Donations were received by Public Schools District Supervisor Marisol T. Lim, along with the school heads of the recipient schools. In her message, Lim expressed her happiness and gratitude for the donations. Other stakeholders also attended, including the Barangay (Brgy.) Captain Rodulfo De La Cruz, Brgy. Kagawad In-Charge of Education, Noel R. Guerrero Jr., and School PTA President Mary Grace R. Robles.

Global Initiatives, Local Impact

The hospital and school donations in Catanduanes province are part of the Church’s efforts to support medical and educational initiatives in communities around the world. The Church conducts humanitarian service activities in various locations worldwide, providing support as needed regardless of religion or affiliation.

To know more about the Church, its message and global ecclesiastical and humanitarian missions, visit https://new.churchofjesuschrist.org/