LCP Rex Pajenado
As the COVID-19 pandemic increases catastrophe and uncertainty around the world, it has affected not only public health and well-being, but also to global social stability, economic and education. The Rotary clubs of District 3810 are innovating and caring for those afflicted showing that even at a distance, there are ways to help.
Rotarians’ ingenuity and bayanihan spirit rose to the occasion in the midst of pandemic. As People of Action, the Rotary Club of Manila Fort Santiago spearheaded the Project SAFE which aims to provide school supplies and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to different schools and community. On September 2, RC Manila Fort Santiago implemented the project together with its co-host clubs: RC Manila Metro, RC Bagumbayan-Manila, RC Malate Prime, RC Manila Bay, RC Panday Pira, RC University District Manila, RC Pasay MIA, and, and with the in-kind donations of the following clubs: RC Manila Quiapo Central, RC Sampaloc, RC Diamonds, RC Manila Crown, and RC Raja Sulayman Manila. The Project SAFE was able to provide PPEs and school supplies to Madilay-dilay Elementary School and Tanay East Integrated National High School in Tanay, Rizal.
Following this successful start, the Project SAFE conducted another donation drive of PPEs in Bacoor, Cavite, on September 25. RC Manila Fort Santiago was joined by the following clubs: RC Bagumbayan Manila, RC Manila Metro, RC Tondo Manila, RC Ermita Manila, RC Pasay MIA, RC Manila Sta, Cruz Central, RC Supreme 198 and RC Pasay Cyber City, and with in-kind donations from RC Manila Crown, RC Manila Kalaw, RC Malate Prime, RC Manila Quiapo Central, and RC Imus East. Project SAFE was successfully implemented and the beneficiary school is the Molino Elementary School in Bacoor, Cavite.
In October, RC Manila Fort Santiago partnered with RC Ermita Manila and provided PPEs and books through Project SAFE to the following beneficiaries: Islamic Studies, Call, And Guidance of the Philippines, Inc. (ISCAG Philippines), in Dasmarinas, Cavite, on October 24, and to Burgos Elementary School, Montalban, Rizal, on October 28.
Fighting disease is one of Rotary’s main causes together with these proactive and dedicated Life-Changing Presidents and Rotary clubs of District 3810. Project SAFE already supported efforts to promote health and safety, and providing protective gear such as facemasks, face shields, alcohol disinfectant, temperature scanner to schools and communities. A Filipino trait defined as working together towards a shared cause, our bayanihan spirit was on full display in this project.