MDMPEOPLEEVENTSPRODUCTs

P12 SUNday | APRIL 26, 2020

DAVAO CITY- At least 100 youth organizations and local personalities from all over the country have converged to initiate a digital fundraising campaign that aims to give aid to Mindanaoan communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Led by the volunteer-powered organization I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) and advocacy-based group Millennials PH, the youth networks aims to help grassroots associations that work with these communities. To jumpstart the initiative, they recently launched “Kapit-Mindanao,” a fundraiser to support low-wage earners, non-settler communities, Indigenous Peoples, and the hardest-to-reach barangays most vulnerable in this current pandemic.

A cash donation goal of P1 million will be distributed to youth-led organizations from all over Mindanao who have their own donation drives and response initiatives. Beneficiaries from the campaign come from 20 areas in all administrative regions in Mindanao,

including Zamboanga del Norte, Sarangani, Agusan del Sur, and even as far as Tawi-Tawi, among others.

“As a Mindanaoan myself, I feel obligated now more than ever to try and help out in any way I can, and reach the most unreached areas in Southern Philippines in terms of relief,” said Meryl Hilda Jalani, national president of Millennials PH and lead convener of Kapit-Mindanao.

The fundraising campaign's beneficiaries include tricycle drivers from Talakag in Bukidnon, Iligan City, Sindangan in Zamboanga del Norte, and Lamitan City in Basilan; as well as low-wage earners and street vendors from Sultan Naga Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte, Tipo-Tipo in Basilan, Cotabato City, and Alabel in Sarangani.

Other beneficiaries of this initiative include medical frontliners from Lianga in Surigao del Sur, Butuan City, Surigao City in Surigao del Norte, Siocon in Zamboanga del Norte, and as far south as Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

This youth-led initiative also aims to reach out to

Convergence of 100 youth orgs aims to aid 20 Mindanao communities

States Government Alumni Association-Davao, it has identified the needs for 300 pax food for kitchen and the procurement of three sanitents.

The different initiatives in the communities range from providing personal protective equipment (PPEs) to frontliners, food packs and family kits containing rice and grocery items, as well as relief goods for indigent communities.

A week after its digital launch, Kapit-Mindanao has so far raised over P155,000.

“We started receiving donations as much as P20,000 to the smallest but very meaningful one peso. This is a true testament that no amount is too big or too small to help, that anyone can make a difference especially in these trying times,” said Maco Ravanzo, co-founder and chief executive volunteer of I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference), co-lead convener of Kapit-Mindanao.

The campaign is organized together with the Association of Young Environmental Journalists,

Marejada Pilipinas, Project Disponer, Miss Zamboanga, and TAYO Awards Foundation, and partnered with 87 other youth organizations nationwide.

N o n - g o v e r n m e n t organizations like Families of the Missing and Keep Hope Alive, as well as small-medium enterprises like Karabella and Jacinto, have joined the campaign in support of Mindanao, among many others.

Kapit-Mindanao calls on everyone to be part of this biggest digital campaign through the hashtag #Socia lMediaBayanihan. Local personalities like Ulan and Camp Sawi director Irene Villamor and mental health advocate Dr. Gia Sison have also expressed their support.

To support this initiative, go to bit.ly/KapitDonate or follow Kapit-Mindanao on Facebook ( fb.com/kapitmindanao), Instagram and Twitter (@KapitMindanao). For inquiries, send an email to kapitmindanao@gmail.com. Kapit Mindanao PR/RG Alama

indigenous peoples such as the T'Boli community in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato; as well as indigent families coming from Maitum in Sarangani, Bayugan in Agusan del Sur, Kabacan in North Cotabato, Datu Odin Sinuaut in Maguindanao, and Barangays Pasobolong, La Paz, Talon-

Talon, Buenagatas, and Maasin in Zamboanga City.

In Davao City, a project for the Sama Dilaut indigenous community located in Barangay Matina Aplaya is being targeted as one of the fund's beneficiaries. Dubbed as Project Bayanihan, and organized by the United

World Trade Center ‘quarantine facility’ now open to serve OFWs

Officials being briefed during the opening of the World Trade Center "We Heal As One" Quarantine Facility, Thursday, April 23. AFP

PASIG CITY - The World Trade Center "We Heal As One" quarantine facility is now ready to accept COVID-19 patients to help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

AFP Vice Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Gaudencio Collado Jr., led the simple ceremony of the Emergency Quarantine Facility (EQF) in Pasay City Thursday, April 23 that will serve overseas Filipino workers requiring a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

The conversion of the premier event place was made possible with the partnership of the national government, the Bases

Conversion and Development Authority, the Ayala Group of Companies, Investment Capital Corporation of the Philippines, and the Manila Exposition Complex.

"We are proud to have Filipinos of different backgrounds to join us in this national endeavor. From the construction workers, to the planners and contractors, we are truly grateful of your support and participation in this Bayanihan," Collado said.

The 500-bed EQF will be managed by 18 military doctors, 30 nurses, and 60 medical aides from the AFP. The AFP will also provide security and administrative personnel to help manage the

A designated enclosed booth at the World Trade Center "We Heal As One" Quarantine Facility for patient documentation. AFP

facility.Collado was joined by senior officers

of the AFP including Rear Admiral Alberto Carlos, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, J4; MGen Edgardo De Leon, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations, J7; The Chief Nurse BGen Venus Bajarin; Colonel Edgar Cardinoza, Commander of AFP Health Service Command; and Colonel Nelson Pecache, the Chief Surgeon General.

Also present were Annabelle Natividad, Vice President for Development of AC Energy, and Jowell San Jose, General Manager of Makati Development Corporation.

The Office of the Chief Chaplain also donated 500 copies of the Bible during the ceremony.

“Despite this great achievement we are still faced with a great challenge of sustaining our gains in flattening the curve of this pandemic,” Collado said.

“It is in this critical period that we would need more from the private sector and individuals. Fortunately for us as a nation, we will never be lacking of Filipinos who are willing to step up when they are needed,” Collado said. AFP/PIA-NCR

More fresh fish now available at Lanao del Norte’s rolling stores

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte-- More fish products will now be kept fresh when the “rolling stores” of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte goes around the various communities throughout the province.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region 10 (BFAR-10) provided four units of cooler boxes to the Provincial Government on Thursday, April 23.

Provincial Fisheries Officer Noel M. Saldajeno personally turned over the items to Governor Imelda “Angging” Quibranza-Dimaporo at the Governor Arsenio A. Quibranza Provincial Government Center in Pigcarangan, this municipality.

Each cooler can store about 25 kilos of fish and keeps it cool to maintain freshness.

The rolling stores mobile market program is an

initiative of the Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture Region 10 (DA-10) and BFAR-10, to bring fresh and affordable products to the communities as the province is currently placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine due to the threat of COVID-19.

The rolling stores sell basic commodities, particularly agricultural and fisheries products.

Dimaporo expressed appreciation to the support extended by the BFAR-10 as the agency’s counterpart in the “KADIWA on Wheels” program of DA-10.

Accordingly, the coolers will be an important addition to the rolling stores as it could make products fresh and safe as the stores roam around communities in the province. BFAR-10 and PIO LDN

Provincial Fisheries Officer Noel M. Saldajeno (second from the left) turns over four units of cooler boxes to Governor Imelda “Angging” Quibranza-Dimaporo (second from the right) for use in the Lanao del Norte's rolling stores. PIO LDN