Faculty members of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines – College of Communication organized a relief operation for communication students who were stranded in their dormitories due to the lockdown implementations during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in March 2020. 

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According to Dr. Hemmady Mora, Chairperson of the Department of Journalism (DOJ), the relief operation was initiated by PUP President – Dr. Manuel Muhi. All donations from the different colleges were given to PUP Main Campus. The collected money was used to provide relief goods for students who weren't able to go back to their homes before the lockdown.

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As the college faculty handed their fund collection to the administration, Dr. Divina Pasumbal, the college Dean, suggested that the college should organize its own relief operations for its students who are in need and living far away from the PUP-COC campus.

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To determine students who were stranded and in need of help,  Professor Krupskaya Valila and Prof. Jomar Soriano created a Google Form survey distributed through social media platforms with the help of the college’s different organizations. Additionally, Prof. Valila, together with Prof. Sonny Versoza, Prof. Jerico Javier, and Prof. James Ona have provided funds to buy necessities of the aid assistance.

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Ma. Lonila Agaton, a graduating journalism student and student assistant who lives in Pasig City, was one of the students who received help from the faculty’s initiative. 

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Due to the pandemic, Agaton’s mother lost her job as a local domestic worker. With their current status, Agaton could not take her daily insulin and afford their other commodities. When the faculty received the news about her struggles, they immediately went to her residence and handed her bags of relief goods and financial assistance to buy vials of insulin for her diabetic condition. The aid given to Agaton lasted until her mother was finally able to come back to work. 

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Mariedel Irish Catilogo, a 4th year journalism student, got stranded in her dormitory when the early stage of pandemic happened. It took more than one month before the COC reached her for assistance. She received a good amount of food and groceries weekly. 

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Seeing the combined efforts of the COC community in helping its students, Mora felt fulfilled to see that there are people in our college who are willing to serve.

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“Nakakatuwang mayroon tayong mga kind-hearted faculty na handang umabot, handang tumulong at handang magbigay sa mga estudyante,” she expressed.

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“Proud ako na sa panahon ng pandemic, ang DOJ, ang COC, parang pamilya na nagtutulungan. Proud ako na hindi tayo ‘yung bulag-bulagan sa isa’t-isa, magkakapamilya, so nararamdaman ko yung espirito na ‘yon na para tayong pamilya na hindi natin pababayaan yung isa’t-isa,” she added.