Caritas Manila gives P1-billion gift certificates to help poor amid lockdown
A Franciscan priest gives a grocery voucher from Caritas Manila to a family in the city’s Sampaloc district. PHOTO FROM RADIO VERITAS
By CBCP News
April 8, 2020
Manila, Philippines
A church-based social service agency has provided around P1 billion worth of aid to poor families affected by the lockdown triggered by the coronavirus.
Caritas Manila used the funds for the door-to-door distribution of P1,000 gift certificates to over four million households within the greater Manila area, according to Radio Veritas.
The beneficiaries came from at least 633 parishes in Manila and the dioceses of Cubao, Antipolo, Imus, Malolos, Parañaque, Kalookan, Novaliches, San Pablo and Pasig.
Fr. Anton Pascual, Caritas Manila executive director, also credited their “Oplan Damayan” to some business groups who helped raise the funds for the needy.
Aside from from the grocery vouchers, Caritas Manila has also been distributing “Covid safety kits” and food bags to poor families.
As the government combat the coronavirus, the priest said that the social aspect cannot be overlooked as he appealed for more help.
“During this pandemic, let us to unite and help each other as one Christian community,” Fr. Pascual said.
Caritas Manila provides Covid-19 safety kits to poor families
By CBCP News
March 19, 2020
Manila, Philippines
The social action arm of the Manila archdiocese is providing items to the city’s low-income families to “be safe” from coronavirus.
Caritas Manila said the plight of the poor cannot be ignored during this pandemic.
“Let’s us help the poor who can’t afford to buy products for basic protection from COVID-19,” it said in a statement.
Caritas’ “Covid-19 safety kit” includes alcohol, face masks, antibacterial liquid soap, Vitamin C, reusable gloves, liquid bleach, cleaning cloth, among others.
Aside from the kit, the relief agency is also providing poor families with food bags to poor families affected by the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila.
“No one should be left behind as we fight COVID-19 with charity and cooperation,” said Caritas Manila.
As of March 19, Caritas Manila has also received around P6 million donations for its programs.
“Let us continue sharing our resources to the most vulnerable in the COVID-19 pandemic – the poor and the elderly,” it added.
