Going Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: How to Help PH Healthcare Workers and Frontliners

“You see, their morals, their code, it’s a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They’re only as good as the world allows them to be. I’ll show you. When the chips are down, these… these civilized people, they’ll eat each other.” The Joker, The Dark Knight (2008).

It’s been more than a decade since Heath Ledger’s chilling performance, but his words now appear prophetic. Covid-19 has revealed the worst of humanity in many ways. Shoppers have been wiping grocery shelves clean in a panic, heedless of their fellow citizens who cannot do the same. Several of our country’s leaders downplayed the threat of contagion for fear of offending a certain country. A handful have even jumped the queue to get tested despite being asymptomatic.

Worst of all, quite a few low-lives have hoarded medical supplies like masks and alcohol. Why? So that they can hawk them at ridiculously inflated prices. Jaysus.

However, it’s not all bad. Countless citizens have also courageously stepped up at this time. Interns and clerks continue to volunteer at hospitals despite their schools pulling them out. Doctors, nurses, and other medical frontliners are sacrificing their own health to carry out their duties.

Those of us stuck at home can also do our part. Yes, you may send your thoughts, prayers, positive vibes, chakras, and whatnot into the universe. However, if you’ve got the means and are willing to do a bit more, please donate to the following organizations:

Angkas.

With their operations currently on ice, the ride-sharing company is mobilizing its workforce to pick up and deliver donations to frontline workers. They accept consumable goods, personal protective equipment (PPE’s), alcohol, soap, and hand sanitizers.

While you’re at it, perhaps spare a donation for their riders as well. A lot of them don’t have other sources of income at this time and also have families to feed.

Click here to donate.

Caritas Manila.

With the city under virtual lockdown, the daily wage earners and their families number among the most vulnerable. Thus, Caritas Manila is calling for donations to provide 6,000 of them with kits and food bags.

The LIGTAS COVID-19 kits, for instance, are worth Php2,000 each. Each one is good for a family of 5 and contains the following:

• 1 liter of 70% ethyl alcohol

• 5 bottles of 30 ml alcohol

• 5 washable face masks

• 1 liter of antibacterial liquid soap

• 1 box of 100 tablets of vitamin C with zinc

• Reusable gloves

• 1 liter of liquid bleach

• 3 pieces of cleaning cloth

• Eco bag

Caritas Manna food bags, on the other hand, are Php700 each and contain the following:

• 5 kilos of rice

• Monggo seeds

• 9 assorted canned goods

• 2 packs of Caritas Margins kalabasa/malunggay noodles

• 1/4 pack of sugar and salt

• Eco bag

Monetary donors may deposit their contributions to the following savings accounts under Caritas Manila, Inc:

• Banco De Oro – Savings Account No.: 000-5600-45905

• Bank of the Philippine Islands – Savings Account No.: 3063-5357-01

• Metrobank – Savings Account No.: 175-3-17506954-3

Help for Health Movement.

This group of public health professionals, development workers, and returning Filipino scholars from the UK are raising funds to provide hugot packs to 300 healthcare workers.

Each package contains vitamins, hand sanitizer, snacks, drinks, and personal hygiene items. They’re meant to tide over all the hospital frontliners as they wage war on covid-19.

They’re currently accepting cash donations via their GoFundMe account. Prefer to donate in kind? Contact Dr. Denese De Guzman at 09175191406 or help4health@gmail.com.

Kaya Natin! Movement.

They are currently cooperating with the Office of the Vice President to organize donations for personal protective equipment (PPE’s) and food packs. As I understand it, donors may purchase PPE Daily Set Tickets. Each one consists of one gown, two sets of gloves, two pieces of head covers, two sets of shoe covers, one pair of goggles, and one N95 mask.

All donors will receive an electronic ticket from their platform as proof of their donation.

Monetary donors may deposit their contributions to the following BPI savings account:

KN Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, Inc.

3081-1173-72

Do remember to email your deposit slip to knmovement@gmail.com afterwards.

For further inquiries, contact the foundation via email (angatbuhay@gmail.com) or SMS (+63 998 596 8820).

Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc. (PAMET).

As with UP PGH, PAMET is accepting the following donations on behalf of healthcare professionals:

• Face masks;

• Other personal protective equipment;

• Sanitizers.

For further inquiries, contact the PAMET Secretariat at (02) 8817-1487 and 09178901118.

The Philippine Genome Center PGC.

Got any extra PPE’s lying around? N95/surgical masks? Laboratory gowns and face caps? Face shields and shoe covers? The Philippine Genome Center will gladly take them off your hands and into those who need them most.

You may send your donations to the following address:

Philippine Genome Center (PGC) Building

Ma. Regidor Street

University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City

They accept donations every Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM.

For further inquiries, contact Mr. Carlo Lapid at +63 2 8981 8500 (local 4706) or 09178458581.

Rock Ed Philippines.

This alternative education group seeks to provide our frontliners with nutritious meals and a constant supply of fruits. They do accept in-kind donations like ingredients and vegetables, but you can also donate to their BPI savings account:

3080-0073-44

Rock Ed Philippines

Got questions? You can also look them up on Facebook.

Serve the People Brigade UPLB.

In partnership with the UPLB Student University Student Council and Youth Advocates for Peace and Justice, the StPB taskforce is sourcing donations in cash or in kind for the Los Baños community. They are currently accepting the following items:

• N95/surgical masks

• Vitamins

• Alcohols, sanitizers

• Soap

• Food

Donors may deposit money to the following savings accounts:

Bank of the Philippine Islands

0919233249

Charmane Jay Paguyo Maranan

Landbank

1896-3523-73

Mariah Joy B. Dela Providencia

Can’t donate but down to volunteer? Sign up here.

UP Manila College of Public Health (CPH) Student Council.

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) badly needs basic supplies like alcohol, face masks, disposable gowns, and sterile gloves. These donations can be dropped off at the Office of the Deputy Director for Health Operations (DDHO), which is near the hospital’s main entrance.

Monetary donors may deposit their contributions to the following BDO savings account:

COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH STUDENT COUNCIL

003530164237

For further inquiries, contact Mita Santiago at (0917) 515 9322 or Mika Salanguit at (0917) 162 0030.

Youth for Human Rights and Democracy.

This group is trying to raise funds to buy face masks and sanitizers for the frontliners at the Philippine Heart Center. Any amount is welcome.

To donate, contact Robert Robles at 09066183162. They accept donations via GCash or PayMaya.

Every little bit helps. For those of us who won’t be going out or shopping in the weeks to come, perhaps we can put a bit of our resulting savings towards a good cause, yes?