When President Rodrigo Duterte announced another enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and surrounding areas, many people flocked to their local markets to buy food and other essential items for their families.
But to some, panic buying is a privilege they do not have.
Such is the case for Jennily Non and her family who reside in Montalban, Rizal.
To the mother of 7 kids including a triplet, life was already a struggle long before COVID-19 came. Jennily and her husband make a living by scavenging a dumpsite in Montalban. No matter how hard they try to make ends meet, the quarantine forced them to stay at home and endure hunger.
And now that another baby is on the way, they find it even harder to survive each passing day.
“Because of the ECQ, we cannot go outside to work and earn money to feed our children. We did everything, we even borrowed money, but we really do not know where to seek help anymore,” Jennily lamented.
Jennily’s family – and many other kababayans who are among the poorest – plunge deeper into poverty as the pandemic ensues.
They are in addition to what National Economic and Development Authority Acting Secretary Karl Chua noted in an interview with CNN, saying that 3.2 million people in Metro Manila are hungry while 506,000 individuals remain jobless.
It seems like even though they persevere, they are caught between following strict quarantine measures and starving.
“As a mother, it hurts that I cannot provide the needs of my children. There are lots of sleepless nights. Because I work all day, there are lots of times when I would stay up all night to fill my shortcomings as a parent,” Jennily said, as tears streamed down her face.
That’s why it was a huge help when Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm, visited their community and brought much-needed relief.
Each family received hygiene kits, clothes, and food items that would last for a week. More than the material relief, the beneficiaries received the message of hope and bayanihan in times of crisis.
“We are very happy and thankful to know that there are people who are willing to help us. It’s a huge relief for us because we do not need to worry where to get food in the coming days,” Jennily said with a huge smile.
While your generosity has reached thousands of families in need, there are still more who are reeling from the pandemic’s overwhelming impact – especially those who are below the poverty line.
You can help us reach more!
Spark hope to our kababayans today by giving online, via GCash (Operation Blessing), or through these bank accounts with account name: Operation Blessing Foundation Phils., Inc.:
Banco De Oro (BDO)
Peso Account: 003-000-055-279
Dollar Account: 103-000-11-3333
Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Union Bank of the Philippines
Peso Account: 00-216-072163-9
Dollar Account: 13-216-000170-0
Swift Code: UBPHPHMM
Metrobank
Peso Account: 270-3-27050273-4
Dollar Account: 270-2-27000282-4
Swift Code: MBTCPHMM
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Peso Account: 3001-0040-33
For sponsorships, you may send a message to Operation Blessing’s Facebook page or contact 0939-921-5543 and 0918-906-7753.
You may also support CBN Asia’s entire Family of Ministries by clicking this link.
(DSWD-SB-SP-00029-2019 Nationwide)
