By Cyrus A. Natividad

New Hope Visayas group picture during the community outreach program.

A community outreach program led by the New Hope Visayas Outreach – with CPU Community Engagement and Learning Center and the CPU Rotary Club of Jaro Centraline was held on Saturday, November 27, 2021, at the Covered Gym of Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro (across the Iloilo Coliseum, Iloilo City) – for the benefit of 50 4p’s Beneficiaries (mainly parents).

New Hope Visayas provided a one-month supply of masks per beneficiary, feeding program, and Community Devotional. The Department of Agriculture – Western Visayas and Celca Birthing Center also donated seedlings for the beneficiaries’ backyard planting and limited free circumcision, respectively.

The Mission of New Hope VisaYas according to Pastor Rosemarie Aguirre, Administrator and Ricardo M. Saradpon III, Program Director is to develop student emerging leaders to be effective godly leaders, to grow in wisdom, and maturity with a heart for God and Community.

CPU Rotary Club of Jaro Centralian (RCJC) President Jec Dan Borlado commented that “This is an opportune time to ‘Serve to Save Lives’, as is this year’s Rotary International’s motto.” RCJC also provided 1,500 capsules of essential vitamins for the 4Ps beneficiaries.

Food distribution at Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro, Iloilo City.

CPU CELC Director Prof. Levi De Los Santos acknowledged that “The cooperation of community service is a mission of hope to bring help and support to the community. CELC has its own mission in relation to the University’s outreach projects and services. ”

Proper coordination with the Brgy. Captain, Office of the City Mayor and ICPO-Jaro Police Station, and First Aid volunteers was done. Under Executive Order 85, Section 19, “Gatherings that are essential for the provision of health services, government services, humanitarian activities authorized by the appropriate government agency or instrumentality shall be allowed.” Health protocols were observed.

The success of the above-stated community outreach program was a collaborative endeavor of all the officers, members, and volunteers in the outreach project.