CPU Staff distributing relief packs to stranded students staying in Barangay San Isidro.
Central Philippine University and Central Philippine University Republic distributed relief food packs to 150 students who were not able to go home due to the COVID-19 lockdown of Iloilo City and Iloilo Province Friday, April 3.
Several CPU students from other parts of Panay, Mindanao, Luzon, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Nigeria, U.S.A. and other far off places had to stay in their boarding houses or dormitories and had limited access to food and other needs because of the enhanced community quarantine which included the cancellation of classes and mass transport system among others.
As of April 3, 165 names of stranded students were submitted by the CPUR to the VPSA Office, but some recipients chose to give their food packs to other students who needed them more.
“We would like to thank the members of the 15th parliament from the Vice President, Prime Minister Senators and Representatives. We are also grateful to other students and incoming CPUR officials who helped us gather names of those who were stranded due to the ECQ,” said CPU Republic President, Engr. Riego Garcia.
The Central Echo also posted on Facebook announcement calling for stranded students who needed assistance during the lockdown and assisted in contacting target recipients of the relief program.
The food packs contained 5 kilos of rice, half a kilo of pork, vegetables, eggs, coffee, Milo and a New Testament Bible inserted with a message to uplift the spirits of the stranded students according to Acting Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Esther Rose Romarate.
“Some of the students told me that they’d be grateful to get fresh food because they have been eating canned food only for more than a week already,” VPSA Romarate said.
The message from CPU and CPUR included Psalm 121: 7-8, “The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life. The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.” and a prayer: “Almighty God, we humbly seek You. In the midst of this COVID crisis, please be with us. Give us the courage and strength to overcome our fears as we face the daily threat of this deadly pandemic to our lives and loved ones. Help us to set our eyes on You and trust You to carry us through this dark valley of death. Draw us closer to You so that we will experience the perfect peace that shall guard our hearts from doubts and worries. May you teach us to be more loving and compassionate to one another as we face this crisis together and overcome by Your power and grace in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
The relief food operation spearheaded by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and the CPU Republic covered Jaro, La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo, Pavia, and Leganes.
CPU and CPUR pooled their resources to purchase the relief goods with the assistance of Vice President for Finance and Enterprises, Dr. Florence Bogacia and her staff. Gideons International through Mr. and Mrs. Domingo Raso donated New Testament Bibles.
Packing and distribution of relief goods were done by the CPU Rescue team headed by Occupational Safety and Health Officer, Mr. Prim Vergara III and some volunteers from the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs, namely Swimming Pool supervisor, Pastor James Peter Trasporto and his wife, Dr. Ma. Gemma Victoria Trasporto; Sports Office director, Mr. Edwin Laru-an; Franklin Dorm proctor, Mr. Dexter Martin, Guidance Services Office staff, Mr. Harry Herez and Mr. Bertram Janos Ecate; Religion and Ethics teacher and the Central Echo adviser, Prof. Rea Angelica Villeza; Office of Communications staff, Ms. Rusieljs Lunasco and Mr. Simon Peter Jandinero; College of Medical Laboratory Science Dean, Dr. Ma. Corazon Porras and faculty, Mrs. Lerma Pendon, Prof. Melyn Pendon and Dr. Joy Raso, and, CPU alumni, Engr. Kim Reyes and Mr. Felomino Lozano III.