Latter-day Saints Charities (LDSC), the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated repurposed items to the City Government of Davao, non-profit organizations, and members of the interfaith community in the city. The repurposed items which included air conditioners, fascia boards, pews, and more from the existing meetinghouse, were turned over on 14 November 2020. The ceremony took place following the groundbreaking event for the new temple located along Maa Road, Davao City.
The existing meetinghouse in the temple site will be demolished to make way for the construction of the first Latter-day Saint temple in Mindanao. As such, materials from the existing building, which had served its local members for more than 11 years were repurposed to benefit the identified recipients of LDSC.
“We are demolishing this to build, to construct, and to erect something that is meaningful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said Philippines Area President Elder Taniela Wakolo in his remarks. Furthermore, he emphasized that self-reliance is at the core of the principles taught in the Church and hopes that the donations, in turn, will be a resource for each of the recipients to better serve and contribute to the community.
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
Jairus Perez, LDSC Area Welfare Manager, signed the deed of donation, with representatives from the recipients – Barangay Council of Ma-a, Ma-a Elementary School, Ma-a National High School, Episcopal Diocese of Davao, Seventh Day Adventist – Toril Diocese, Davao City Jail – Main, Davao City Jail – Female Dormitory, Field of Dreams Children’s Hope Foundation, and People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP).
“We are forever grateful. Our prayers are also with you in your continued efforts,” barangay captain Pacito Cañete lauded.
Davao Stake (Diocese) President Rizaldito Castro gave emphasis to the objective of the initiative. He shared, “the repurposing of the existing chapel is a simple act of service – that we do care for our neighbors to help them feel the love of our Father in Heaven and that we are all His children regardless of our culture and faith.” Castro also heads the Chapel Donation Project.
Ma-a Central Elementary School, also a recipient, thanked the Church for the repurposed items. “MCES is truly fortunate that during this time of the pandemic, the “bayanihan spirit” still lives. We embrace every help we received. We know it is for the improvement of the school and the community as a whole.”
The donations will reach the children of Datu Manlangan Elementary School, Tapak Elementary School, and Academia de Maria Mediatrix, Inc. through PMAP – Davao. “Your gracious donations will definitely benefit them,” said Mirasol Tiu, Davao Chapter President.
“We thank The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for its generosity. May this inspire other organizations to adopt similar courses of action during the celebration of milestones. May the new temple be a place of refuge in the midst of storms and trials that are happening around us,” City Mayor Sara Duterte said in an official statement from the City Government of Davao.
A turnover ceremony, attended by the members of the Area Presidency, Elder Taniela Wakolo, Elder Steven Bangerter, and Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, was held on the same day where medical supplies were handed over to the City Government. These donations, which were received by Assistant City Health Officer Dr. Gene Gulanes, included 1,800 isolation gown sets, 1,200 coverall bunny suits, 6,500 surgical face masks, 2,880 500 mL bottles of alcohol, 3,000 pairs of latex gloves, and 1,000 face shields.
In November 2018, Church President Russell M. Nelson announced the construction of the 18,450-square-foot Davao Philippines Temple. In September, the Church has officially released an exterior rendering of the temple and the announcement of the 2.7-acre temple site.
The Davao Philippines Temple will be the first in Mindanao. Six other temples in the country are operating, under construction, or have been announced – Manila, Cebu, Urdaneta, Alabang, Cagayan de Oro, and Bacolod.