Care for Region 8 Frontliners – 27 May 2020

To reduce the risk of being exposed to Covid-19 pandemic, the Philippine KOICA Fellows Association (PHILKOFA) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) successfully implemented a project entitled, “LingaPhilkofa: Kalinga Para sa mga Frontliners ng Region 8” under the organization’s flagship program “LingaPhilkofa: Bayanihan Kontra Covid-19” on 27 May 2020.

Through the project, PHILKOFA and KOICA donated supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) coverall suits to frontline healthcare workers of the two primary government hospitals in Region 8 namely, Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) in Tacloban City and Leyte Provincial Hospital (LPH) in Palo, Leyte. A total of 150 PPEs were donated to EVRMC while 100 PPEs were given to LPH.

Dr. Cleocita A. Parilla-Portula, Chief of the Eastern Visayas Regional Covid-19 Testing Center (EVRCTC) of EVRMC and Dr. Ofelia C. Absin, Provincial Health Officer of LPH both expressed their profound thanks and sincere appreciation, in behalf of the frontline healthcare workers of the two hospitals, to PHILKOFA and KOICA for the act of kindness and generosity.

The project was implemented in partnership with some volunteer organizations. The Eastern Visayas Covid-19 Fighters took charge of the delivery of the PPE from Metro Manila to Region 8 while the Organization of NEDA Employees (ONE) in Region 8 facilitated the turnover of said PPE to the two hospital-beneficiaries. Despite distance and limited movements due to strict quarantine protocols, the project was successfully implemented through the collective efforts of several support groups exemplifying the Filipino’s brand of heroism or the “bayanihan spirit” in times of emergency.

The activity was held as a manifestation of PHILKOFA and KOICA’s strong commitment to serve the public and bring the organizations closer to the people.