Caritas Manila, Project Ugnayan distribute P1.7 billion worth of relief amid pandemic

Car it as Manila, along with Project Ug nay an, has announced that as of September 2020, it has distributed P1.7 billion worth of assistance to those affected by the Covid- 19 pandemic.

Project Ugnayan is a fund- raising initiative led by the country’ s leading corporation sand business families in cooperation with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation ( PDRF). It is headed by Ayala Corp. President and Chief Operating Officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

ProjectUg nay an harnessed the huge network of parishes and volunteers under Caritas Manila to distribute gift vouchers that can be redeemed in nearby groceries to challenged communities in Metro Manila and neighboring areas.

A total of 1.37 million poor households in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna have so far benefited as of September 2020 with over P1.37 billion wor th of gift cer tificates. Moreover, the program has benefited some 1,909,153 families, or 9,611,835 individuals.

Caritas Manila also gave out an additional P318 million worth of food and non- food items to those falling under the classifications of poorest families, vulnerable groups, service frontliners, poor dioceses and individuals in crisis.

In just three days after the imposition of the lockdown, Caritas Manila launched its Contra Covid program that involved the immediate distribution of 143,624 Manna Food Bags, 16,893 Ligtas Covid Kits, assor ted food and non- food items, as well as gift vouchers in Metro Manila and surrounding dioceses.

“During this pandemic, we endeavor to provide immediate charity aid to the poor and marginalized. Covid- 19 is not only a health crisis but more so a grave economic concern that affects almost everyone,” said Caritas Manila Executive Director Anton CT Pascual.

Fr. Pascual cites the sentiment of a vendor he talked to who said, “Mas takot po kaming magutom ang pamilya naming ngayong quarantine.”

Car it as Manila responds to disasters through its Damayan program. For Covid- 19, Da may an coordinated with the Institute of Servant Leadership and Stewardship to mobilize volunteers for relief distribution and groundwork.

At present, Car it as Manila continues to address rising hunger and poverty and is now providing assistance to displaced public-utility drivers.

To support Caritas Manila, you can donate to Account Name: Caritas Manila Inc. to the following peso savings accounts: BDO 0005600- 45905; BPI 3063- 5357- 01; and Metrobank 175- 3- 17506954- 3.

For dollar deposits, BPI savings account 3064- 0033- 55 or USHARE Unionbank savings account 3064- 0033. Donations are also accepted via Paypal and all Cebuana Lhuillier branches.