A Franciscan priest gives a grocery voucher from Caritas Manila to a family in the city’s Sampaloc district. PHOTO FROM RADIO VERITAS
A church-based social service agency has provided around P1 billion worth of aid to poor families affected by the lockdown triggered by the coronavirus.
Caritas Manila used the funds for the door-to-door distribution of P1,000 gift certificates to over four million households within the greater Manila area, according to Radio Veritas.
The beneficiaries came from at least 633 parishes in Manila and the dioceses of Cubao, Antipolo, Imus, Malolos, Parañaque, Kalookan, Novaliches, San Pablo and Pasig.
Fr. Anton Pascual, Caritas Manila executive director, also credited their “Oplan Damayan” to some business groups who helped raise the funds for the needy.
Aside from from the grocery vouchers, Caritas Manila has also been distributing “Covid safety kits” and food bags to poor families.
As the government combat the coronavirus, the priest said that the social aspect cannot be overlooked as he appealed for more help.
“During this pandemic, let us to unite and help each other as one Christian community,” Fr. Pascual said. (CBCPNews)