Philippine Navy, Marikina City Recipient of LDSC Donations

With its continued effort to support government agencies and local government units during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through its humanitarian arm, Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC), turned over donations to the Philippine Navy and Marikina City.

In a ceremony held at the Naval Reserve Command Headquarters, Intramuros, Manila, on 29 May 2020, the Philippine Navy received 20,000 N95 and surgical face masks, 2,000 face shields, 2,000 rubber gloves, 500 protective suits (PPE), and 2,000 sets of hygiene supplies which consist of alcohol, sanitizers, and wipes.

These items will be distributed to active and reservist sailor and marine frontliners stationed all over the country.

Eduardo Fernando, Director for Temporal Affairs of the Philippines Area of the Church, presented the items to Vice Admiral Giovanni Carlo Jamero Bacordo, Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy, and Brigadier General Ariel R. Caculitan, Deputy Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps.

In his short remark, Fernando shared about the long-standing partnership between LDSC, the Church, and the Philippine Navy. “The Church, for several years, had been cooperating with the Philippine Navy in giving assistance to the Filipino people affected by calamities,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, Vice Admiral Bacordo said, “One of the good things that this pandemic crisis has given to us is that it awakens our ancestors’ seemingly lost tradition of the Bayanihan spirit [community spirit]. Amidst the problems we face, our countrymen unite as one as they offer their selfless services as frontliners. They will be hailed as one of our new heroes to be remembered in the annals of our history.”

Furthermore, LDSC turned over PPEs and hygiene supplies to the local government of the City of Marikina to boost the city’s effort in protecting their frontline medical workers.

Marikina City also received washable face masks produced by Beehive Clothing Philippines, a Church-affiliated facility that mainly produces religious clothing but has shifted temporarily to making community face masks. These items will be distributed to the public where they're needed the most.

Overall, Marikina City's local government received 500 hygiene sets, 1,000 pieces of surgical face masks, 600 500-ml bottles of 70% isopropyl alcohol, 80 pieces of PPE gowns, 500 pairs of medical gloves, and 2,400 pieces of washable face masks.

On behalf of Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro, Marikina City Vice Mayor Dr. Marion Andres, accepted the donations.

"On behalf of Mayor Marcy Teodoro from the city of Marikina, I am grateful for the generosity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” he said in Tagalog. Vice Mayor Andres also expressed gratitude to Marikina Philippines Stake (diocese) President Jose G. Manarin for the long-standing partnership and the many projects the Church and the LGU have done together.

"You can be assured that the donations will go to our frontliners and to those who need them the most. Mabuhay tayong lahat. [May we all live.]"

Also present in the event were Elder Aretemio C. Maligon, Area Seventy; Anthony John Balledos, manager of Latter-day Saint Charities; President Dick James D. De Guzman, Camarin Philippines Stake; and President Bryan Borela, Pasay Philippines Stake.