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Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC), the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, turned over the Duyay Independent Water Cooperative (DIWA) Clean Water Project in Boac, Marinduque to the provincial government of Marinduque and the local government units of Boac and Barangay Duyay last 31 May 2021. This initiative will help 100% of Barangay Duyay's residents gain access to clean and safe water by 2027.
In attendance were Jairus Perez, Country Director of LDSC; Abenir Pajaro, Area Welfare and Self-Reliance Manager of the Church of Jesus Christ; and Elder Emelito Orencia, a senior service missionary of LDSC. Ricky H. Mantal, Operating Manager of DIWA, spearheaded the event. Present also were the DIWA Co. members and officers, Board of Directors of Barangay Duyay, and Barangay Chairman Rolando Sapollo of Barangay Duyay.
Chairman Rolando Sapollo expressed his gratitude to LDSC for the Clean Water Project within their community. "Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, hindi ko po akalain na ang aming barangay ay mapapasali dito sa proyektong ito. Nagkaroon lang din po kami ng pagkakataon na naimbitahan namin ang mga Latter-day Saint Charities na bisitahin ang lugar, at malaki ang pasasalamat namin dahil nabigyan nila kami ng tulong sa mga panahon na kailangan namin ng tubig dito sa lugar namin. (I did not expect that our barangay would have the great opportunity to be a part of this project, which is a first time for us. We had the opportunity to invite Latter-day Saint Charities to our community, and we would would like to express our gratitude for the help that they have extended to us especially in this where we are in need of clean water.)”
Elder Perez emphasized the project proposals made to barangays Tapuyan, Cabugao and Duyay. He reported that Barangay Duyay has completed its clean water project with the 2 other barangays mentioned following soon. He expressed his joy at the completion of the project. "Alam natin na napakahalaga ng tubig at ang Diyos mismo ang nagbigay. (We know that water is very important and is a gift from God Himself.)”
“It is a moment of happiness, a celebration, kasi ang tubig ay buhay. Ang oras natin sa pag-iigib ay maari na nating gamitin sa pagaasikaso sa ating pamilya. Mahalaga na buo ang pamilya. (It is a moment of happiness because water is life. The time that we spend to fetch water can now be used with our families. It is important that families remain whole.)”
Elder Pajaro extended his gratitude to the Barangay Captain of Barangay Duyay for inviting them to join the event. “Pagtulungan po ninyo ang pagtagal ng serbisyo ng tubig at ating pong umpisahan ngayon. (I invite all of you to help to us make this service last, and I invite all of us to start this effort now.)"
Ricky Mantal assured the LDSC their unwavering effort to improve the water system in their Barangay. “We will continuously find ways to improve," Mantal reiterated. "We will strive to do our responsibilities. We will work harder to fulfill our commitment," he added.
About LDS Charities
Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDS Charities is an application of the admonition of Jesus Christ to help others in need. Jesus Christ taught His followers to give meat to the hungry and drink to those who thirst. His is a gospel that includes taking in the stranger, loving neighbors as self, and visiting those who are sick or imprisoned. He taught that we are to love and care for each other, visit the fatherless and widows in their afflictions, and lift up those whose hands hang down and whose knees are feeble.
Unique in its support structure, LDS Charities has access to the resources of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which include food production and processing, donated used clothing, employment and social services, and the ability to purchase goods locally in many parts of the world. We sponsor relief and development projects in 179 countries. Assistance is rendered without regard to race, religious affiliation, or nationality and is based on the core principles of personal responsibility, community support, self-reliance, and sustainability. Largely run with volunteer labor, we operate both independently and in cooperation with other charitable organizations and governments. More than one million man-days of labor are contributed yearly by volunteers in support of welfare initiatives.Humanitarian services include emergency response to natural disasters. It may also be part of a longer-term effort to meet serious and more entrenched human needs, such as the need to alleviate disease.
Within hours of a disaster, the Church works with local government officials and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) to determine what supplies and food are needed. Materials are then immediately sent to the area.
Our primary community development programs include clean water, neonatal resuscitation training, vision care, wheelchairs, immunizations, food production, and other health programs.
The assistance we provide is made possible by generous donations of cash and in-kind materials from members and friends of the LDS Church.