PLDT, PBSP extend COVID-19 relief to indigent communities in Cebu

CEBU CITY – The PLDT and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) widened their outreach to indigent communities through the Cebu Caritas, Inc (CCI) Office as they distributed hygiene kits, which include washable facemasks in PLDT-branded pouches at the Caritas Kindness Station in Cebu.

According to Reverend Father Alex Cola, Jr. who is the CCI President and Chairman on the Commission on Services, the hygiene kits will benefit some of the indigent families in the community, reinforcing health and safety protocols.

“These hygiene kits will be distributed in different parishes in the Archdiocese of Cebu for the least fortunate brothers and sisters who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rev. Fr. Cola said.

On behalf of Archbishop Jose S. Palma, D.D. and the CCI–Commission on Service of the Archdiocese of Cebu, Rev. Fr. Cola expressed his gratitude to PLDT for extending support for the Caritas Kindness Station. 

PLDT Community Relations Division Head Katherine Diaz De Rivera said that PLDT imparts the company’s value of compassion to every Filipino family and community.  “We support our brothers and sisters who are facing the severe impacts of the coronavirus. We hope that our simple donation will go a long way,” she added.

 As the social development and charitable arm of the Archdiocese of Cebu, the CCI–Commission on Service is tasked to always be in the forefront in the fight against poverty. 

The Commission on Service also aims to promote social equality and to provide the community with spiritual guidance and social services for the most marginalized sectors of society.

 The funds for the hygiene kit donations were sourced from PLDT’s Motolite-PBSP Balik-Baterya Program, which was first launched in 2006.

The program involves the collection of used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) for proper recycling and production of new automotive and industrial batteries as well as for various corporate social responsibility projects.