Various relief efforts of the University, across

all of its Luzon branches and campuses, continue

to operate amidst community quarantine.

University personnel and stranded students within

the vicinity of Sta. Mesa campus, PUP branches and

satellite campuses, were assisted through the

efforts of the university’s National Service Training

Program (NSTP) Office.

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Almost one thousand relief packs, including food

packages, have been distributed from March 23 to

the end of May 2020.

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“Sobrang thankful and blessed ako kasi kung ‘di dahil sa kanila, ‘yung tulad ko na hindi prepared from the lockdown ay sobrang mahihirapan kasi alam naman natin na hindi madali ‘yung buhay ng mga nagdodorm. ‘Yung mga bigas, biscuits, noodles, canned goods, sobrang laking tulong na iyon para pantawid ng gutom. Weekly sila nagbibigay hanggang sa malift yung ECQ to GCQ,” Airiam said.

Airiam Sancho, a 4th year journalism student who originally lives in Lipa City, got stranded in Manila where she works as a freelance brand ambassador to support her studies. 

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Since the enforcement of community quarantine, Airiam mostly relied on her scholar's stipend from the Rotary Club of Quirino Manila Central, a private community organization, for her daily expenses.

Moreover, students from various colleges pitched in resources to contribute to this Bayanihan exercise. Faculty members and administrative employees, along with alumni also took the time and effort to share relief goods. Several donors preferred to send in cash contributions.

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For Jolito “Ching” Ching Jr., a 2nd year Legal Office Management student of PUP, COVID-19 pandemic sparked a desire to give back. 

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Ching decided to volunteer his time delivering relief packs to the stranded students of PUP Sta. Mesa, and to other branches of PUP such as PUP Quezon City and PUP San Juan.

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“Isa ako sa mga naging active volunteer noong kasagsagan ng ECQ kasama ang PUP NSTP at iba pang mga grupo. Tuwing biyernes, simula last week ng March 2020 hangang last week ng May 2020 ay nagpupunta ang mga Stranded na PUPIAN sa PUP MAIN upang kunin ang kanilang relief goods. Malaki ang naging tulong nito sa mga stranded na PUPian dahil ito ang nagtawid sa kanila sa napakahirap na sitwasyon. Ang NSTP Department din ang naging daan upang makabalik ng probinsya ang mga naistranded na estudyante,” Ching said.

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Ching also added that although he may be doing something very small, he realized that he is a direct link between students who may be isolated to the rest of the school community. For him, volunteering has been a humbling experience – one that has propelled him to encourage others to serve as well.

“Volunteering with your school department’s program is not only an excellent use of your time but also an easy way to get in touch with and serve your school community,” Ching exclaimed. “The students I deliver to are some of the kindest and most appreciative people I’ve met.”

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Volunteers from the NSTP Office – both faculty and students—helped in receiving, sorting, and packing the relief goods. Transportation services were also offered to students to return to their homes in partnership with the Civil Relations Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

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