LDSC COVID-19 Relief Efforts Extend to LGUs and Hospitals in the Visayas

As the country continues to fight the threat of the infectious disease, Latter-day Saint Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is on the side providing support to the local government units, government agencies, and hospitals.

In partnership with the Philippine Navy Naval Reserve Command Multi-Sectoral Linkaging Committee against COVID-19, LDSC was able to donate the much-needed medical supplies in the various cities and municipalities in the Visayas.

Samar

To fully support the provincial government of Samar in their effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19, LDSC, the Philippine Navy and the Office of the Presidential Assistant to the Visayas handed over 6,000 pieces of surgical face masks, 2,000 pieces of KN95 face masks, 600 bottles of 70% isopropyl alcohol, 240 pieces of face shields, and 200 pieces of PPE gowns to the Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City.

Anthony John Balledos, LDSC representative, and BGEN Rogylyn Mazano AFP (RES), Chairman of the Naval Reserve Command Multisectoral Linkaging Committee against COVID-19, facilitated the donation.

In small-scale, informal turnover ceremony, President Randy Luceriano, Catbalogan Philippine District (small diocese) President; Joy Alban, Seminary & Institute Coordinator for Samar; Mark Espedilla, Latter-day Saint member; Dr. Jonathan Gabriel Paquit, OIC-Chief of Samar Provincial Hospital; Alejo Ilao, Jr., Hospital Administrator-designate; and Madeliene Ampatin; OIC-Technical division, were present.

In his message, President Luceriano shared, “The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints is glad to help in any way possible in helping the Province of Samar and its constituents’ fight this unseen enemy.”

According to Paquit, the donated items from LDS Charities “came at the best opportune time.”

“Our supplies are down,” he said. “We will surely need this and will help our frontliners in our fight against Covid-19.”

Capiz

On 9 July, the Capiz Provincial Government extended their gratitude to LDSC and its partners for the donations of PPE, surgical face masks, KN95 face masks, bottles of alcohol, face shields, and surgical gloves.

President Johnny D. Dariagan, Roxas Capiz Philippines Stake (diocese) president, presented the medical supplies during a small-scale handover event held at the Church’s meetinghouse.

Hon. Nonoy Evan Contreras, Governor of Capiz, accepted the donations with gratitude. Present with him were Dr. Edwin Monares, Provincial Administrator; Dr. Leah Del Rosario, Dr. Alex Nolasco, Ms. Jessica Dice, Mr. Boy Apa-ap, and Mr. Bobot Dariagan.

The medical supplies will assist the province in slowing down the spread of COVID-19, especially among frontliners who are working tirelessly day and night.

Iloilo City

“Iloilo City is blessed to receive the donations from Latter-day Saint (LDS) Charities,” Mayor Jerry Treñas expressed on his Facebook post soon after receiving the donations from LDSC.

On 14 July 2020, the humanitarian arm of the Church handed over donations for the Ilonggos to Mayor Treñas in a simple turnover ceremony held at the City Mayor’s Office.

The items donated consisted of medical equipment and supplies to help provide relief amid the pandemic. They comprised of 6,000 pieces of surgical face masks, 2,000 pieces of KN95 face masks, 600 bottles of 500ml isopropyl alcohol, 120 pieces of face shields, 2,000 pieces of medical gloves, 600pcs PPE suits, and 4,000 pieces of cloth mask produced by Beehive Clothing Philippines.

“This (donation) is a great help to our city hall employees and frontliners to be armed against the virus,” said Mayor Treñas.

Those present during the turnover included Chiqui Blancaflor, assistant to the City Mayor; Captain Stephen Tuballa, Commander of Naval Reserve Center-Western Visayas, and other staff from the City Mayor’s Office.

President Manuel E. Insigne of Iloilo Philippines Stake, President Aaron Democrito of the Iloilo North Philippines Stake Presidency, and Stanley John Villalobos, the Church Public Affairs representative in Iloilo were during the handover event.

The mayor expressed: “Madamo gid nga salamat sa inyo nga bulig. Padayon Iloilo!” (Thank you so much for your help. Padayon Iloilo!)

Dumaguete City

As the home of the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, Dumaguete City become one of the recipients of Latter-day Saint Charities’ global COVID-19 relief efforts.

With the help of partners in the Philippine Navy, LDSC was able to hand over surgical masks, bottles of alcohol, face masks, face shields, medical gloves, and PPEs to the hospital, where the majority of COVID-19 patients are admitted.

President Ferdinand Lantaca and President John John Geguinto of the Dumaguete Philippines Stake Presidency facilitated the turnover held on 9 July at the NOPH Building. IATF Ground Commander Dr. Liland Estacion received the supplies on behalf of the provincial hospital.

With gratitude for the help, Dr. Estacion said that they will distribute the supplies to all the hospital’s frontliners as they continuously serve during the pandemic.

Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center

To aid virus-hit Cebu in their fight against COVID-19, Latter-day Saint Charities handed over medical supplies to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, a government-owned general tertiary hospital in Cebu City. The items donated included hygiene kits, surgical face masks, 70% isopropyl alcohol bottles, PPE gowns, medical gloves, and respirator face masks with filters.

R. Gerardo M. Aquino, Jr., Medìcal Center Chief; Atty. Paul Gino S. Lopez, Chief Administrative Officer; Dr. Helen V. Madamba, Chief Implementer, COVID-19 Response; and CAPT John A Barrameda PN(GCS), Commander, Naval Reserve Center Eastern Visayas, were present during the turnover along with Elder Butch Colipapa, Church service missionary for LDSC.