Metro Cagayan de Oro

Post COVID-19 Scenario: PCCI submits proposals for resumption of Economic Activities in Mindanao

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has endorsed to the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases a resolution from its regional chambers in Mindanao detailing suggestions for the resumption of economic activities in the island.

Residents observe social distancing in queueing up for the Bayanihan Rolling Store of Tago Chamber of Commerce, Tago Business Club & LGU Tago.

Previously, PCCI Mindanao submitted recommendation to mitigate the spread of COVID 19, as well as mechanisms to cushion the impact on MSME’s of business disruptions in the two (2) Resolutions endorsed by the PCCI National Board.

Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio, PCCI Area Vice President for Mindanao, noted how the Mindanao chambers have been in the thick of the fight against the novel coronavirus since the pandemic started.

“Our LCCIs (Local Chambers of Commerce and Industry) in Mindanao have contributed to the distribution of food packs and supported the production of PPEs for health care workers and frontliners, and local Universities in the production of rubbing alcohol and sodium hydrochlorite (disinfectant) for key hospitals and offices,” Alegrio said.

“On top of this, our LCCIs initiated Rolling “Kadiwa” Stores in key cities and provinces which have enabled barangay residents to have access to basic commodities without needlessly exposing themselves in crowded super and public markets, thus helping LGUs enforce Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ)” she added.

A rolling store reaches the municipality of Taraka. The store offers basic goods and commodities at DTI-suggested retail prices. (PLGU Lanao del Sur)

Not the least, Alegrio noted how the Regional Chambers and LCCIs established a Trade Information Exchanges and logistic network for communities under ECQ to provide basic commodities such as rice, vegetables, wet meat products, canned goods and alcohol to LGUs outside the main urban centers.

Resolution # 2020-003 noted how the LCCIs in Mindanao have been actively participating in the local Disaster Risk Management and Mitigation Councils and have advised their members across all sectors to prepare a rapid impact assessment on the displacement of workers as well as business disruption losses arising from the enforcement of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

Furthermore, the LCCIs have also been advised to prepare their respective Contingency and Recovery Plans on the following scenarios: 1) Extension of Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ); 2) Selective Lifting of the ECQ; or 3) Lifting of Travel Restrictions;

Among the measures endorsed for adoption under the resolution are expanding the membership of the IATF-EID to include private sector groups in the planning and formulation of specific guidelines on how the ECQ should be properly lifted in a manner that will not compromise the life and livelihood of the people;

Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. donated 38 imported medical-grade PPEs and 100 face masks to Caraga Regional Hospital. (Boyet Go)

For the IATF-EID to strictly enjoin the LGUs to enforce the quarantine measures to be consistent with the national directives, specifically on the exemption of vital and essential services like food, utilities and health in the areas where the ECQ cannot yet be lifted;

For the DOH, DA, & DTI to ensure the protection of the food supply chain in Mindanao – from production, manufacturing and logistics by giving workers in this sector first priority in mass screening, contact tracing, provision of quarantine facilities and eventually provision of vaccines;

For the DOF to prioritize funding allocation and procurement of services for all pending DPWH-DTI ROLL-IT projects to efficiently transport raw materials from agricultural areas to the main processing or manufacturing centers;

For DICT to make available to local/Private Telecommunications Companies, Cable TV, Internet and Value Added Service Providers their existing tower facilities and infrastructure including unused internet bandwidth, to fast track deployment of broadband internet services to the underserved areas of the country, thereby fulfilling its mandate of bringing information and communications technology to all Filipinos;

A resident of Marantao in Lanao del Sur buys two loaves of bread from the rolling store. (Photo courtesy of PLGU of Lanao del Sur)

For DICT to enjoin NEA to roll back its recent rate increase in Pole Rental Fees collected through rural electric cooperatives, thereby reducing the costs for Telcos, Cable TV and Internet Service providers in the deployment of essential information and telecommunications services in the country;

For the Board of Investments and the LGUs to provide incentives to companies that will invest in health care-related projects including conversion of commercial spaces to quarantine facilities and construction of sanitary landfills, and for the importation of special equipment for the proper disposal of infectious and pathological wastes of hospitals and households;

For the DTI to engage LCCIs in the development, implementation and harmonization of economic stimulus programs in their respective localities and adjacent regions;

For Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to encourage commercial banks to allow restructuring and rescheduling of Current Loan Payments for both private and government banks, and to extend the due dates of Credit Card payments without penalties for a 3-month duration, irrespective whether the account is updated or not;

For the DOF to allocate funds from The Bayanihan to Heal as One Act for the purpose of absorbing the cost by the banks to lower the interest rate for new commercial loans to encourage new economic activities related to food production and manufacturing of health related equipment;

For the DTI to increase the Loan Availment Cap of the Small Business Corporation’s Enterprise Rehabilitation Facility from P500,000 to P25,000,000;

For the DTI to extend technical assistance and financial support to LCCIs in the preparation of Business Continuity Plans so that the same can be disseminated to MSMEs in their localities who may wish to apply for commercial loans through the Small Business Corporation;

For the DTI, DOST and DOLE to immediately implement Retooling and Re-Training Programs for MSME companies and workers of sectors belonging to non-essential goods and services;

For the DILG, DTI and DA to encourage LGUs in rural areas to give preference to the agricultural products of local farmers, fisher folks, and livestock producers over the usual processed food (canned goods and noodles) in the food assistance packs distributed to their constituents;

For the DOST to extend funding and technical support for Research and Development to City and State Colleges, Universities and Technical schools related to health care efforts that may directly impact the area’s COVID-19 response;

Iligan Chamber donation of face shields to ICPO personnel

For the DOLE and POEA to subsidize the hotels and restaurants that may utilized as quarantine facilities for incoming OFWs once the travel restriction is lifted;

For the Department of Tourism (DOT) and its aligned agencies like TPB (Tourism Promotions Board) and TIEZA (Tourism Infrastructure Estate Zone Authority) to create a Technical Working Group composed of tourism stakeholders/organizations to study and develop a Business Recovery Plan focusing on the domestic tourism market.

“Additional inputs may be considered in the next resolution once the IATF has released guidelines on the extension or selective lifting of ECQ,” Alegrio noted.

The resolution was signed in behalf of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry affiliate Chambers in Mindanao on 15 April 2020 by Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio, PCCI Area Vice President for Mindanao; and the following PCCI Regional Governors with their respective areas: Arturo Milan (South Eastern Mindanao); Pete Marquez (Central Mindanao); Cioney Paqueo (Eastern Mindanao); Roderico Bioco (Northern Mindanao); Paul Gudmalin (Western Mindanao); Loreta Sy (South Western Mindanao); Aldrin Ibbo (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Mindanao) and Elpidio M. Paras, President of Promote NorMin Foundation.

There are about 45 PCCI local Chambers of Commerce (LCCIs) in Mindanao, around 90 percent of whose members belong to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) whose capitalization range from P3M-100M with large companies making up some 10 percent of chamber members. (RMB)

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Marawi Suicide Squad back in action vs. COVID-19

ILIGAN CITY —– In 2017, they risked their lives dodging bullets to save those trapped inside the city by the siege.

The Lanao del Sur Suicide Squad of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office on COVID-19 burial detail. (PDRRMO)

These days they brave an unseen enemy to provide a decent burial for the dead and spare the rest of the population from infection.

They are employees of Lanao del Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).

On March 17, they conducted their first burial of a COVID-19 patient who died on that same day in Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City.

Amer Hussein Lucman, head of Lanao del Sur PDRRMO, said they had mixed emotions when they were told to bury the dead at Maqbarra Public Provincial Cemetery in Barangay Papandayan, Caniogan.

Maqbarra is the same cemetery where over 200 unidentified fatalities recovered from the Ground Zero battleground during the Marawi siege in 2017 are interred.

The Lanao del Sur PDRRMO team earned the Suicide Squad moniker when they recovered some 200 bodies from Ground Zero while the batlle raged around them. (PDRRMO)

Lucman’s group was the same group, better known as the Suicide Squad, who retrieved the remains while the battle between government troops and the insurgents raged around them.

“We experienced mixed emotions because at first, we were told that the PDRRMO is there only to support, and that they (Marawi City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office) is supposed to lead but the APMC told us no one wanted to handle the deceased. We are ready anytime because we, in the PDRRMO, are here to help,” Lucman said.

Two immediate family members, with the help of two hospital personnel, helped carry the remains of the COVID-19 fatality from the hospital isolation room to the vehicle waiting at the back of the hospital.

“Noong malapit na sa vehicle, doon na kami nag take over, hinawakan na ng mga tao ko ang remains. We tried our very best to carry it kasi alam mo naman ang belief namin sa Islam, dinahan dahan namin ang pag-carry,” Lucman said.

(When the cadaver was near the vehicle, we took over, my colleagues held the remains. We tried our best to handle it carefully because you know our belief in Islam, we carry the deceased with care and respect.)

All team members were wearing protective suits which were all later properly disposed off according to the protocol mandated by the Department of Health (DOH).

Lucman said it was his first time to assist in an Islamic burial so unlike the previous ones he attended.

While he and his colleagues tried to make the burial solemn given the unusual circumstances, they just smiled and tried to make light of it afterwards while disposing of their hazmat suits.

In reality, they all were scared of getting infected. This battle was different.

“Noong nagdadamit na kami, siyempre virus yan, mas delikado kumpara sa siege, idinadaan nalang namin sa tawa, nagbibiro na lang kami ng mga kasama naming na parang ‘eto, tayo na naman ang nagtatrabaho, walang tutulong’. Hindi na naming masyadong pinu-problema para hindi mawalan ng lakas ng loob ang mga members namin,” Lucman said.

(When we were wearing our hazmat suits, of course we are dealing with a virus, more dangerous than the siege, we just laughed, we joked with our colleagues and I said “here we are again, working, no one will help”. We did not take it seriously so that our team members would not get discouraged).

“Sa siege kasi, maririnig mo ang putok ng baril, puwede kang magtago muna bago dumiretso. Unlike nito, hindi mo nakikita ang kalaban mo. Puwedeng anytime dumapo sa iyo kahit naka-protective suit ka, hindi 100% na hindi kakapit sa iyo,” he added.

(During the siege, you could hear the gunfire and explosions, you could take cover before proceeding. Unlike now, you cannot see your enemies. Anytime, you could get infected even if you wearing a protective suit because it is not 100% you won’t get infected.)

To make sure they are safe when they get back to their office, they disinfect three times. The vehicle used in transporting the cadaver was also disinfected. Then they underwent quarantine until they were again called to bury another COVID patient on March 20.

At the cemetery, no Islamic rites were conducted since the immediate family members already did these at the isolation room. They had to be very quick.

“Sa normal na libing namin, lahat nga pamilya na nasa paligid ay hahawak sa bangkay bago ilagay sa hukay, pasa-pasa yan. Maraming mag-volunteer na maglibing. Hindi ka natatakot. Pero ito, kahit immediate family ay nag-aalangan na humawak sa bangkay. Masakit isipin na ganoon ang naging impact ng sakit na ito.”

“Alanganin kaming humawak kasi baka mapunit ang PPEs namin,” Lucman added.

For the March 28 burial, the PDRRMO decided not to bring along the immediate family members of the deceased because the nearest relatives were living in Iligan City.

The Lanao del Sur PDRRMO Suicide Squad had to do burial detail for COVID-19 fatalities because no one else dared to bury the victims. (PDRRMO)

The Inter-Agency Task Force COVID-19 in Iligan City did not allow the relatives to go out from their house because they were classified as Persons Under Monitoring (PUM).

“On our end also, pinagbawal na namin na may family member na sumama kasi walang problema sa amin, we can always go on a quarantine. Pero mga family members, hindi natin alam kung may disiplina sa pag-quarantine. So imbes na mababawasan ang problema, baka mas lalong lumaki,” Lucman said.

(On our end, we prohibit family members from joining the burial. It’s no problem for us because we can always go on quarantine. For the family members of the deceased, we are not sure if they have the discipline to undertake the mandated quarantine. Instead of easing the problem, it may only worsen the situation.)

“We understand the weight of the problem. We are not sure of the other people because there many who are still in denial once they got infected with the virus,” he added.

It was hard for Lucman’s group to prohibit family members from burying their loved one, but the group prefers it that way rather than risk further spreading the virus.

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CCIFII Rolling Stores enhance ECQ in Iligan

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation of Iligan, Inc. has launched its rolling stores in a bid to enhance the effectiveness of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Iligan City.

As defined by the Iligan Chamber, a Rolling Store is a “One-Stop-Shop” where consumers can buy their groceries, vegetables, fish and meat items within their barangays without going to public and supermarkets to lessen their risks of infection from the COVID-19 coronavirus.

When Iligan Mayor Celso G. Regencia declared an Enhanced Community Quarantine throughout Iligan City from March 20 to April 30, 2020, it raised the issue of how social distancing could be enhanced with only two public markets serving Iligan City: Tambo and Wet Market in the City proper.

It also made life more difficult for people who did not have private transportation and had lacking access to buy their daily needs such as the dry goods, vegetables and fruits, meats and other household needs.

Iligan’s barangay residents enjoy basic & prime commodities at low prices at the CCIFII Rolling Stores without having to commute or travel far from their residences. (photo Rene B. Pernia)

Rolling Stores to the rescue

On April 7, the Iligan Chamber of Commerce launched its Rolling Stores Project in coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), City Agriculture Office, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other stakeholders to address the issues of social distancing, encouraging to stay home indoors and assisting certain sectors to mitigate the big impact of the ECQ in Iligan City.

“We have 10 rolling stores every day, they have different schedules and diff barangays to cater to,” said Ms. Reggie D. Punongbayan, CCIFII President. “So far, the rolling stores have already covered about 90 percent or 40 of the city’s 44 barangays.”

“We have been consistently been urging buyers to strictly comply with the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). Buyers should provide their own ecobags, prepare their shopping lists in advance to avoid delays, always wear face masks and maintain social distancing in accordance with Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2020, R.A. 11469,” she stressed.

To get the stores rolling, the Iligan Chamber of Commerce requested the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President to identify which barangays would be interested to participate in the project.

“The barangays were divided into clusters composed of various puroks,” Punongbayan explained. “The identified barangay will be divided into sectors with designated spaces where our Rolling Store will standby on agreed days and times, assuring that all barangay residents can access the rolling store at least two or three times a week.”

Once the designated spaces for the rolling store had been identified, barangay officials assisted in securing the area by marshalling buyers to assure the proper social distancing and health protocols are observed during the 4-5 hours the rolling store would be selling in a barangay.

Because RS operators buy direct from suppliers of meat, fish and vegetables, residents enjoy low prices from the rolling stores. (photo by Rene B. Pernia)

Opportunities in adversity

The City Agriculture Office (CAO) has been supplying at least ten (10) basic agricultural products from local farmers which are delivered to the City Slaughterhouse where the CAO is located, and where participating entrepreneurs get their orders repacked based on their needs.

“We collaborated with chamber members who were interested to operate the rolling stores in the 3-4 barangays assigned to them,” Punongbayan said. “A Halal operator has also been tapped to serve our Muslim communities.”

CCIFII Pres Reggie Punongbayan observes the operation of one of the chamber’s 10 rolling stores. (photo by Rene B. Pernia)

“The fish, meat, groceries, rice, and dried fishes which are considered basic priority needs of our people are taken from our selected participating outlet members arranged by CCIFII to get the best prices which comply the suggested retail prices set by Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry under the present price freeze of basic and prime commodities,” she added.

To further keep prices down, the chamber coordinated with the Department of Agriculture which coordinated with local farmers to have their produce delivered to a “bagsakan” where RS operators buy directly from them, and where meat products like pork and chicken can also be likewise bought direct from piggery and poultry operators.

In addition, grocery store owners give wholesale price for canned goods and other grocery items to RS operators while donors shoulder like DPWH and the CAO donated gasoline allowance of 10 liters twice a week for each RS operator.

Residents observe social distancing as they await their turn to buy from the Iligan Chamber Rolling Stores (photo by Rene Pernia)

Public-Private Partnership

Through the Rolling Stores Project, the Iligan Chamber of Commerce aims to assist the local and national government enhance health measures such as social distancing, help curb the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the number and distance residents need to travel to purchase their daily needs, keep down the prices of basic and prime commodities, and further expand opportunities for synergy and cooperation between the public and private sectors. (RMB)

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CDO Filipino-Chinese Community donations to NMMC breach P4.3-M

NMMC Chief Dr. Jose Chan receives the 5th batch of donations from the CDO Filipino-Chinese Community headed by Pres. Sonny Choi April 7 at the Cagayan Town Center. (photo courtesy of Jeffrey Ang)

Cagayan de Oro’s Filipino-Chinese Community showed its unequivocal support for the city’s battle against the CoVid-19 coronavirus with its biggest donation yet to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center on April 7.

The group headed by President Sonny Choi and COVID-19 Response Committee Chairman Efren Uy turned over to NMMC Medical Director Dr. Jose Chan 1,980 sets of PPEs each worth P1,500 with a total value of P 2,970,000.00 and 500 pieces of N95 face masks each worth P130.00 valued at P65,000.00 for a total donation of P3,035,000.00.

Northern Mindanao Medical Center Chief Dr. Jose Chan expresses his thanks to the CDO Filipino-Chinese Community for their continued support to NMMC Frontliners (photo courtesy of Jeffrey Ang)

With this latest donation, the community’s collective donations to NMMC comes to a total of P4,304,000.00, excluding donations also made to the city owned and operated J.R. Borja General Hospital (JRBGH).

The NMMC is the only hospital in Region X with the capability to test and treat CONVID-19 Patients Under Investigation (PUI).

Under the strategy adopted by the Regional and City Health offices, COVID-19 patients are exclusively referred to NMMC, while JRBGH and other private hospitals take in as many non-COVID cases as they can accommodate to give NMMC’s personnel and facilities as much slack as possible to deal with the outbreak.

From March 23 to April 6, the CDO Filipino-Chinese Community had previously donated to NMMC on four separate occasions urgently needed PPEs and medical supplies collectively valued at P1,269,000.00.

NMMC Center Chief Dr Jose Chan receives from the CDO Filipino-Chinese Community PPEs and N95 face masks worth P3.035-M for NMMC frontliners.
(photo courtesy of Jeffrey Ang)

The initial shipment consisted of 60 cartons rubbing alcohol and sanitizing gel, two units knapsack sprayer, 12 pails disinfectant solution (chlorine), safety goggles, rubber boots, protective raincoats with pants, face shields, and 50 cartons disposable water tissues/paper towels collectively valued at P365,00.00

This was followed on March 28 by 480 set plastic rain coats worth P250.00 each valued at P120,000.00.00 and 800 locally made face shields worth P80.00each and valued at P64,000.00 for P184,000.00 for the entire batch.

On April 3, the group turned over 250 sets of PPEs made in Korea worth P1,800.00 each valued at P450,000.00 followed on April 6 by 100 sets PPEs made in China worth P 1,300.00 each valued at P150,000.00 and 200 sets of 5M brand PPE kit worth P600.00 each valued at P120,000.00 or P270,000.00 total.

The fifth batch of donations to NMMC worth P3.035-M from the CDO Filipino-Chinese Community consists of 1,980 sets of PPEs and 500 pieces of N95 face masks.
(photo courtesy of Jeffrey Ang)

The Filipino-Chinese Community of Cagayan de Oro includes 21 community organizations, including family associations, chambers of commerce, schools, martial arts, civic and religious fraternities.

These including the following: Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.; Mindanao Council for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China in the Philippines; Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.; Cagayan de Oro You We Tong Civic & Religious Fraternity, Inc.; Oro Christian Grace School; Misamis Oriental Liong Tek Fraternity Association, Inc.; Sejo-Lim Family Association-Northern Mindanao Chapter; Cagayan de Oro Bell Church Foundation, Inc.; Kong Hua School; Cagayan de Oro Volunteer Fire Brigade, Inc.; Phil. Wushu Federation-Cagayan de Oro Chapter; Phil. Kim Mun Association-Misamis Oriental Chapter ; Cagayan Gospel Church ; Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Amity Club; Cagayan de Oro San Lorenzo Filipino-Chinese Catholic Community; Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.-Misamis Oriental Chapter; Philippine Chinese High School Alumni Association-Cagayan de Oro Chapter; Misamis Oriental Progressive Mason Temple, Inc.; Kong Hua School, Inc.; and the Chee Kung Tong Chinese Free Mason Misamis Oriental Branch.

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Academe mobilizes urgently needed supplies for front liners

Three of Northern Mindanao’s leading universities are in the thick of the fight versus the COVID-19 pandemic through their campus laboratories.

Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan (Xavier Ateneo) in Cagayan de Oro City, Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Bukidnon, and Mindanao State University (MSU) through College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at its main campus in Marawi City and the Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in Iligan City, have mobilized their available resources to supply hospitals with urgently needed medical supplies like alcohol and disinfectant.

We start this four-part series with the COVID-19 Response of Xavier Ateneo in Cagayan de Oro City.

Xavier Ateneo-Cagayan de Oro

From March 24-April 6, Xavier Ateneo’s #XUKontraCOVID19 headed by Vice President for Social Development Roel Ravanera distributed 105 bottles of isopropyl and ethyl alcohol produced by the XU Chemistry Department to various beneficiaries such as the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), J.R. Borja General Hospital, Bukidnon Hospital, Maria Reyna-Xavier University Hospital, PNP Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro Police Office (COCPO) and the Loyola House, official residence of Jesuits in Northern Mindanao.

“Soc Dev (SD) Cluster is coordinating #XUKontraCOVID19, XU’s institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ravanera said. “We have formed various committees and Gail Galarrita handles the Information Consolidation and Sharing Committee.”

Preparing alcohol for front liners at the Xavier Ateneo chemistry laboratory. (R.L. Flores)

“The alcohol formulation by the Chemistry department of Xavier University immediately started upon hearing that the NMMC had limited to no supply of alcohol due to the increasing number of referred CoVid-19 patients,” said Analyn C. Asok, Ph.D., chair of Xavier Ateneo’s Chemistry Department.

“Knowing that commercial alcohol in the market was nowhere to be found, we thought of ways to help and that’s when our profession as chemists came into use,” she added.

Initially, the lab used its analytical grade absolute ethyl and isopropyl alcohol available in the Chemistry and Biology departments.

Later, additional absolute ethyl alcohol was bought using the chem department and the university’s fund. XUCCCO, a campus-based cooperative also donated absolute alcohol.

“We also received a number of calls from people willing to donate but sad to note that even the supply of absolute alcohol is now depleted. At present, we are still waiting for the next batch of absolute ethyl alcohol to arrive,” Asok said. “We are also expecting the arrival of absolute ethanol donated by Xavier University Chemistry Alumni Association (XUCAA) and ICP-X/XII/BARMM/CARAGA Chapters within this week.”

“Please note that the alcohol formulation from absolute alcohol is indeed very expensive. But in these times, to save lives is more important,” Asok stressed.

The all-volunteer team of the XU Chem Lab headed by Asok includes Higinio R. Barros Jr, Ann Marian Lou O. Eslopor, Renebelle L. Flores, and Don Vic L. Obaob, who designed the labels for the final product working from home.

The team is also working to produce surface disinfectant with two partners.

Through former Academic VP and retired Chem Dept faculty Dr. Lina Kwong, Chemisol Inc. through General Manager Jerry Dy donated calcium hypochlorite for use as a surface disinfectant (not to be used as spray).

Mr. Dy needed a chemist to accept the donation so that the correct concentration of the disinfectant could be provided to LGUs and CDO hospitals. The donated disinfectant was earlier transported from Davao by Robert De la Serna.

“The chlorine content of calcium hypochlorite may deteriorate over time, especially when it is exposed to heat. So it’s necessary to determine the actual chlorine concentration to calculate the exact mass for the proper final disinfectant concentration. Since it is in solid form, we don’t need to dissolve it before distributing it to hospitals and LGUs. We will repack it following specific mass and label it accordingly so even non-technical people can easily understand how to use it properly and safely.”

Alcohol products produced by Xavier Ateneo’s chemistry laboratories have been donated to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center. (R. L. Flores)

Asok said the analysis for actual chlorine content will be conducted by DOST-X personnel at their lab this week. If the materials need for repacking would already be available after the analysis is completed, the surface disinfectant can already be distributed by Xavier Ateneo’s SocDev headed by Roel Ravanera next week.

The team is also working on another disinfectant project with former Xavier Ateneo Board of Trustees President Elpie Paras. However, Juliet Q Dalagan, PhD., XU Vice President for Higher Education and also a faculty of XU Chem Dept. said the project with Paras has not yet officially started since the Chem Dept is still discussing with Paras how to best move forward.

CMU-Bukidnon

The CMU Ethanol Production Team with their Hand Sanitizer products distributed to LGUs, provincial offices, chekpoints and hospitals in Bukidnon.
(CMU Public Relations & Information Office)

Higher up at the University Town, in Musuan, Dologon, Maramag, Bukidnon, the Central Mindanao University (CMU) has been producing hand sanitizers, disinfectant solutions and PPEs like face masks and face shields for hospitals, government offices, parishes and checkpoints.

CMU is a research state university and is one of the oldest premier universities in southern Philippines.

Dr. Melania Enot, Director of NPRDC, disclosed that this is a collaborative effort of CMU’s faculty researchers and science laboratories to formulate an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a preventive measure to curb the spread of the virus.

Enot said that the hand sanitizers are based on the recommended formulation of the World Health Organization (WHO) of 80% alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, double distilled water, and glycerol.

On the first wave of CMU Cares campaign, CMU distributed hand sanitizers to the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia; and the municipalities of Don Carlos, Impasug-ong, Kadingilan, Manolo Fortich, and Maramag.

Campus made CMU hand sanitizers (Joy Jamago)

As of April 2, 2020, some113 liters of hand sanitizers have been distributed to the Bukidnon Provincial Medical Center, Bukidnon Provincial Hospital-Maramag, Bukidnon Provincial Hospital-Manolo Fortich, Impasug-ong Municipal Hospital, some hospitals in Valencia, and CMU University Hospital.

Hand sanitizers were also distributed to the Office of the Provincial Governor, Provincial Veterinarian, , Municipal Agriculture Office-Impasug-ong, San Isidro Parish, LGU-Dologon, Maramag and checkpoints in Valencia City.

“CMU is always a partner of the country and the surrounding communities. The expertise of the faculty and staff become more valuable in situations like what we are currently in. We are here to serve because we absolutely care,” she added.

The CMU Ethanol Production Team producing ethanol from molasses includes Dr. Gina Barbosa, Dr. Melania Enot, Prof. Ailene May Ang, Dr. Florfe Acma, Dr. Myrna Pabiona, Dr. Melania Guiang, Dr. Queenie Ann Curayag, Engr. Emmie Reyes, Chemist Leonar Jun Gabiana, Chemist Rainear Mendez, and Dr. Joy Jamago.

According to Jamago, the production of hand sanitizers can be sustained when the team can produce its own absolute alcohol.

Since the distillation systems at the university are not designed for large scale production, the team suggested fabricating a large-scale distillation unit in partnership with the Bukidnon Sugar Co. (BUSCO) and Dr. Rodolfo Espinosa, an alcohol expert from Guatemala (through Ms. Jasmin Tan-Lao, BS Chemistry alumna) who provided the team with a method and design to fabricate the distillation set-up.

While fermentation and distillation efforts are still on-going, the team continues to source ethyl alcohol within the university to sustain the production of hand sanitizers. The team is accepting donations of raw materials like ethyl alcohol (95%), glycerol, hydrogen peroxide, and distilled water to maximize production.

The CMU Team is willing to extend technical assistance to other municipalities provided they supply their own raw materials.

CMU community is grateful for the efforts of the following individuals and offices: Natural Products Research Center (NPRDC) headed by Dr. Melania Enot; National Science Research Center (NSRC) headed by Dr. Gina Barbosa; Food Research Development Center (FRDC) headed by Dr. Queenie Ann Curayag; Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory (SPAL) headed by Dr. Myrna Pabiona; Chemistry and Biology Department; Agricultural Engineering Department headed by Engr. Emmie Reyes; Dr. Joy Jamago of Agronomy Department; Prof. Ailene G. Ang; and Tuklas Lunas Development Center headed by Dr. Reggie Y. Dela Cruz.

CMU formulated chlorine-solutions as a surface disinfectant. (Iyren Dalipe-Neri)

Aside from hand sanitizers, CMU will also be providing chlorine solution for foot baths and tire sprays in checkpoints and hospitals.

Through the efforts of Dr. Rolito G. Eballe and Dr. Alan P. Dargantes, CMU received gallons of purified water, and bulk amounts of chlorine powder from private companies like MGM Resort of the Panganiban Family.

The donated raw materials have been forwarded to the Natural Science Research Center and will be handled by CMU chemists to formulate a chlorine solution following the preparation protocol mandated by the WHO.

As of April 1, 2020, ten 18 liter containers of chlorine solutions have been forwarded to the University Hospital ready for distribution. Eballe advised municipalities who wish to avail of the chlorine solutions to bring their own containers. (Report by Iyren A. Dalipe-Neri, PRIO-CMU)

MSU-Marawi City

THEY GOT THE SOLUTION Answering a call for help posted online, chemists at Mindanao State University produced sanitizers, a much-needed medical supply in the fight against the coronavirus.

Faced by a shortage of disinfectants, the provincial government of Lanao del Sur has tapped chemists from Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City to formulate alcohol-based sanitizers to be used by health workers in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Provincial Board Member Jeff Adiong, president of the Sangguniang Kabataan provincial federation that initiated the project, said the shortage prompted his office to post an online call for local chemists to come forward and help the provincial government produce sanitizers.

A netizen responded by putting a link that immediately connected them to the MSU chemists.

“Our post on social media caught the attention of the Department of Chemistry of MSU Marawi,” he said. “We immediately had a meeting with the university president and the four chemists willing to help us,” Adiong said in a phone interview Wednesday.

After the MSU chemists agreed to produce the sanitizers with funds from the provincial government, several hurdles remained before actual work could begin.

For instance, the chemists first had to wait for two days before the approval and guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to formulate the compound was secured.

Then the laboratory had to be disinfected but some of the needed raw materials like glycerol, hydrogen peroxide and ethanol were in short supply as well, so these had to be secured from suppliers in Iligan and Cagayan de Oro cities.

A LGU worker sprays disinfectant on the road in Saguiaran , Lanao del Sur where a check point on the road to Marawi City from Iligan City has been set up.
(Divina M. Suson)

The workers who picked up the supplies had to pass through tight checkpoints on their way back to Marawi.

“They had to hurry to avoid getting caught with the curfew hours. Supplies of raw materials are limited,” Adiong said.

“We need distilled water for dilution and [water] supply is not a problem,” Jomarie Seclon, one of the chemists, recalled. “If all the materials are available, we can formulate 240 liters in five days.”

But finally, on Tuesday, the chemists finished formulating the first 50 liters of the disinfectant, Seclon said.

The provincial government plans to distribute the finished product to each of the 39 towns in the province and in Marawi. Twenty liters has been allocated for Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC), the only public hospital in Marawi caring for COVID-19 patients.

As of April 1st, Lanao del Sur has six confirmed coronavirus with six fatalities. All of the patients were confined at the APMC. (Report by Divina M. Suson)

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Waterpark repurposes machine to produce surface disinfectant

Seven Seas Waterpark & Resort (image courtesy of Project LUPAD)

Since the Seven Seas Waterpark and Resort was shuttered on March 17 in response to the government’s plea to help curb the spread of COVID-19, the facility, hailed as “Mindanao’s Showcase of Sustainable Tourism” has lain idle except for a skeleton crew cleaning and maintaining its various attractions.

However, that wasn’t going to stop UC-1 President and CEO Engr. Elpidio M. Paras from using its facilities to help in the war against the virus. UC-1 is the holding company which owns and manages the family’s various enterprises in the hospitality industry, business process outsourcing (BPO), internet service provision, and cable television.

On March 31^st, Paras announced in a Facebook post he had successfully commissioned the Seven Seas Waterpark’s Chlorinsitu IIa machine to produce 815 liters daily of Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution.

UC-1 Pres Elpie Paras has repurposed 7 Seas Waterparks’ Chlorinsitu IIa machine to produce Sodium Hypochlorite solution when diluted can be used as a surface disinfectant.

“While it was intended to keep our wave pool sanitized for the summer, it is now repurposed to supply a good quantity of chlorine-based disinfectant for use by the community,” Paras announced.

When its daily output of NaOCl is diluted with water, the machine can produce the equivalent of 7,000 Liters of surface disinfectant daily.

“We are working with the XU Chemistry department to properly mix this into a safe and effective product for use by our front liners, hospitals and community checkpoints,” Paras said.

Already, the disinfectant is being used in a prototype disinfectant misting apparatus which Paras designed for use by their Parasat HD technical service vehicles as extra protection as they go about their daily duties in response to the demands of their cable and internet business.

A Parasat payment booth protected against contamination on both sides.

“Our frontline technical and CSR staff are in constant exposure to possible CoVid-19 infections, so we go to extra lengths to keep them safe in their daily rounds,” Paras noted. A short video of the apparatus can be viewed here.

In addition to these measures, UC-1 has also implemented a comprehensive package of measures as recommended by authorities to help curb the spread of the CoVid-19 virus including social distancing, staggered work schedules with a skeletal work force, shorter office hours (8am-4pm), and plastic curtains for their payment centers.

The company has also taken advantage of the Holy Week break to implement sanitation and disinfection procedures of its various offices and payment centers which have already been provided with alcohol sanitizers and disinfecting foot baths for its customers and employees, and has disallowed the entry of all people not wearing a face mask.

As a further measure to comply with the global edict for social distancing, the company suspended all scheduled deactivations for March and encouraged all its customers to take advantage of the faster processing times for their payments at any Savemore/SM store, 7Eleven stores, or through online banking (BDO, Metrobank, BPI, Landbank), and ECPay Merchant Partner including 7Eleven (Nationwide); GCASH; TrueMoney (Nationwide); ExpressPay (Nationwide); Oro Graphic Inc. Main (Graphics); RD Pawnshop (Nationwide); ALP Tickets and Bills Payment; Triple MG Business Center; Top Online Provider Deals (App) or NATCCO (Coop).

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ACDO calls on clergy to open parishes to community food gardening

Started just last February, the parish garden patch has started paying off with harvests of green leafy vegetables.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro is encouraging the establishment of household and community gardening for local food production during the COVID-19 quarantine and lockdowns to help sustain especially vulnerable residents in the informal sector, the unemployed, and those unable to be gainfully employed at this time.

In a statement released April 6 to all archdiocesan clergy and parishioners, Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J. called on all the clergy to open parish spaces to community food gardening and set up. nurseries to ensure a continuous supply of planting materials.

Ledesma said it is imperative that families and communities have access to locally produced food as the usual food chains from locked down areas like Bukidnon locally and rice sources like Vietnam and Thailand internationally tighten up.

Alugbati (Malabar spinach or basella alba), from the parish garden patch just has 19 calories per serving, but is filling, nutritious and easily grown.

“We need to produce nutritious food like vegetables, both leafy and protein sources (beans and legumes), and rice substitutes for carbohydrate, like sweet potatoes (camote) and bananas,” the cleric stressed.

“I am encouraging parishioners to set up their individual home gardens which can be container gardens for those within tight urban areas, but also help in the community gardens,” urged Ledesma, a former dean of the Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) College of Agriculture, and former director of the Southeast Asia Rural Social Leadership Institute (SEARSOLIN), dedicated to the formation of socially committed and competent leaders in the struggle for poverty alleviation and holistic human development within the context of diverse cultural and religious traditions in Asia, Pacific and Africa.

The Institute has 50 years experience of forming leaders and initiating innovative programs graduating over 2,000 rural leaders from 59 countries in Asia and Africa.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish vegetable garden at the parish church grounds in Bgy. Carmen.

Already, the staff of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Barangay Carmen is starting to harvest vegetables from its vegetable garden at the parish church grounds.

“We started gardening in our church grounds since the last week of February,” said Parish Priest Fr. Satur Lumba. “Many of our parishioners who are 4Ps beneficiaries have also already started gardening after they visited us to ask for advise on how to do it. All of this I learned from my past work as social action director, exposure to partners and others.”

“We have already started harvesting green leafy vegetables which is a great help for us, especially at this time,” he added.

In his circular, Ledesma urged for the intensification of local food production through individual household and community gardening to help especially the poor, the unemployed, and those unable to be gainfully employed at this time.

With sufficient local food supplies, the archbishop said not only is the family and the larger community assured of adequate meals, nutrition, and bolstered immune systems, but gardening can also prevent hunger-related crime; and improve mental health.

“I am encouraging parishioners to set up their individual home gardens which can be container gardens for those within tight urban areas, but also help in the community gardens.”

Students filling plastic bottles with soil to set up container gardening.
(Photo-Robert J. Holmer)

He appealed to those with idle land to open them up for use as community gardens and for those who have special skills in agriculture, organic gardening, and food preservation, to volunteer their skills.

Cagayan de Oro has pool of experienced agriculturists who have been pursuing local production of food through communal and backyard vegetable gardens. Among them are Xavier University College of Agriculture which implemented the The Periurban Vegetable Project (PUVeP) as part of the Research and Social Outreach Cluster;
In cooperation with the local government of Cagayan de Oro City as well as the municipality of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, barangay administrations, the

Department of Education and local communities, it has implemented ten allotment gardens, three of which are located inside public elementary schools, equipped with ecological sanitation toilets for about 100 urban poor families.

Col. Honorio Cervantes demonstrates the principles of Square Foot Garden at his demo farm in Bgy. Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City.

Another is the Square Foot and Vertical Garden espoused by former COCPO Chief Col. Honorio Cervantes (Ret.) at his farm in Bgy. Pagatpat, an Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Learning Site that is hailed for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). He is a leading advocate of organic farming through urban gardening and regularly conducts seminars and orientations at his 300sqm farm.

Not the least, Cagayan de Oro City’s “Urban Household Container Gardening” (UHCG) Project aims to combat rising problems of malnutrition, poverty and high drop-out rates among school age children in Cagayan de Oro.

At-risk communities are taught to feed themselves by planting their own vegetables with their own oftentimes limited space. For its second phase, the UHCG Project has added the integration of Solid Waste Management by recycling and re-integrating waste from the city into their container gardening projects.

DA-RFO 10 RTD Carlota Madriaga hands over vegetable seeds to CDO Agriculture’s Office, received by Joseph G. Borja, Urban Container Household Gardening program focal person. (UCHG)

Paul Douglas Calingin, the city government’s COVID-19 economic cluster head and acting city agriculturist, recently disclosed that the City Agricultural Productivity Office (APO) will be providing some 800 urban gardeners with seeds from the DA to immediately start planting to bolster the city’s local vegetable supply.

The UHCG Project is a joint program of the City Housing & Urban Development Department (CHUDD) HOA Federation, APO and City Social Welfare & Development Department. It was awarded third place in the “Food Justice: Projects that improve food access in underserved communities” Category of the 2016 International Network for Urban Agriculture (INUAg) Awards.

However, Ledesma cautioned parishioners to strictly observe the mandated physical distancing in community gardens, and disinfect commonly used garden tools and seed packs and containers to be distributed.

Ready for the table at the parish garden patch.

The ACDO’s Health/Ganda Natural Farming Ministry team headed by Ms. An-An Denuyo, and the archdiocese Social Action workers will be assisting parishes and communities willing to pursue local food production projects in collaboration with DA, LGUs, and other partners.

The Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro is an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. It is a metropolitan see on the island of Mindanao which is composed of the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Camiguin and the municipality of Malitbog, Bukidnon. It is headed by Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J and its seat is located at Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral in Cagayan de Oro City.

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Private sector extends assistance to other hospital front liners

Nurses from the CDO Polymedic Plaza’s Hemodialysis Unit hold up PPE gowns donated by STEAG thru Ms Irene Floro & face shields from the UCCP Cagayan de Oro Church. (photo supplied)

The two government hospitals in the forefront of the battle against the COVID-19 coronavirus have been getting the bulk of assistance from the private sector, especially on critically needed medical supplies and personal protection equipment (PPEs) for their front liners.

The Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) as the only COVID-19 referral hospital in Northern Mindanao (Region X) has been getting a steady stream of assistance from the private sector.

On April 3, the Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Community delivered 250 sets of PPEs manufactured in South Korea worth P450, 000 to NMMC as the second batch of its P1-M assistance earlier committed to the hospital.

Nurses from CDO Polymedic Medical Plaza Hemodialysis Unit wave their thanks to UCCP Cagayan de Oro Church who donated these face shields. (photo supplied)

Last March 23, the same group turned over the first truckload of locally purchased supplies to NMMC worth P365,000 including 60 cartons rubbing alcohol and sanitizing gel, two units knapsack sprayer, 12 pails disinfectant solution (chlorine), safety goggles, rubber boots, protective raincoats with pants, face shields, and 50 cartons disposable water tissues/paper towels.

Meantime, the J.R.Borja General Hospital owned and managed by the city government has also been getting a steady stream of PPEs and other medical supplies from the private sector, especially the Rotary Clubs under Zone 1 Council of Presidents headed by Rosalinda Caragos.

However, some of the front liners in the city’s other private hospitals have found themselves scrambling for PPEs and other needed supplies since most donations have been going to NMMC and JRBGH.

UCCP Cagayan de Oro Church workers & volunteers making PPEs for front liners at the Licoan church compound

When nurses from the Cagayan de Oro Polymedic Medical Plaza Hemodialysis Unit found themselves short of PPEs like gowns, face masks and shields, civic minded citizens quickly stepped in to assist them.

Under the strategy adopted by the Regional and City Health offices, COVID-19 patients are exclusively referred to NMMC while JRBGH’s role is to take in as many non-COVID cases as they can accommodate to give NMMC’s personnel and facilities as much slack as possible to deal with the outbreak.

First to answer the call for assistance was the United Church of the Philippines Cagayan de Oro City Church (UCCP-CdO) where a dedicated group of church workers have been toiling daily to produce face masks, face shields and PPE gowns for front liners.

A further shipment of 500 PPEs and 100 thermal guns were received on April 3 by the city government for distribution to front liners in NMMC and JRBGH. (CIO)

Not quite a day later, Ms. Irene Floro, former Oro Chamber President and herself a registered nurse, coordinated with PCCI Area Vice President for Mindanao Ma. Teresa Alegrio to secure PPEs from STEAG State Power Inc. which were quickly turned over to the CDO Polymedic Plaza nurses.

The campaign to curb the spread of the virus was further bolstered on April 1^st when the city government received the first batch of PPEs and medical supplies it earlier purchased consisting of 1,400 boxes of protective masks, 2,000 boxes gloves, and 100 gallons of alcohol.

The initial shipment has been prioritized for the use of the BHERTS [Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams] who have been conducting a house-to-house assessment of PUM residents.

A further shipment of 500 PPEs and 100 thermal guns were received on April 3 by the city government for distribution to front liners in NMMC and JRBGH. (RMB)

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Plan Regional, Act Local – Business Sector Outlines response to COVID-19 Crisis

Butuan Chamber PPEs donation to front liners

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) in Mindanao has started implementing its key strategy as mandated in the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council Economic Cluster.

“In the wake of all the community quarantines and lockdown of LGUs , I have outlined the Business sector Response to COVID -19 through the Key Strategy of Planning Regional (through the Regional Disaster Risk Mitigation and Management Council) and Acting Local through the Local Government Units (LGUs-city, province, municipality, barangay),” said Ma. Teresa R. Alegrio, PCCI Area Vice President for Mindanao.

“Our main objective is to secure our food supply chain and support initiatives to protect our healthcare personnel and front liners through the production of locally made Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs),” Alegrio stressed.

Butuan Chamber donated these face masks to their front liners.

“As the voice of the business in Mindanao, PCCI will endeavor to provide regular updates to the business community on government directives especially on logistics issues. I encourage each local chamber to provide/share news, reports, and best practices particularly on food security. I will also appreciate any inputs or possible solutions from the group,” she added.

As a complementary measure, PCCI is also coordinating with local government units (LGUs) the deployment of rolling stores for each municipality to reinforce the community quarantines and lockdowns now enforced in many localities, by distributing relief packs to individual households, especially the most vulnerable sectors in the informal economy.

Bangon Marawi Chamber of Commerce headed by President Elian Macala has partnered with the Lanao del Sur provincial government, the line agencies of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM), and some Meranaw businessmen to launch its Rolling Stores project.

SPMC Front Liners show their appreciation for face shields donated by JCI Davao Region Oplan Kaagapay & JCI Duwaling ShiledOurHeroes project thru the DCCI in Davao City.

According to a MindaNews report filed by Rosslaini Alonto, the rolling stores sell basic necessities such as rice, eggs, vegetables and spices, dried fish, cooking oil, chicken, bread, over-the counter medicines, LPG, purified water, diapers, toiletries although with limits so as to cover as many families in the municipalities who wish to avail of the products. All goods are sold at suggested retail prices.

Seven mobile stores were initially dispatched to the towns of Marantao, Taraka and Bacolod Kalawi on Monday, Lumba Bayabao and Binidayan on March 25 and Piagapo on March 26 and were supposed to go to the different towns of Lanao del Sur every day but were unable to proceed due to the Iligan City travel ban.

In line with its support initiatives to protect healthcare personnel and front liners, PCCI is also coordinating the local production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) with community production lines for PPEs which is now being undertaken by various volunteer organizations in the cities of Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Davao , Zamboanga, Butuan , Iligan, and Surigao.

Iligan Chamber of Commerce in partnership with MSU-IIT Fablab distribute face shields to the Iligan City Frontliners to help fight Covid-19.

“We have emailed to our individual chambers designs/templates of face masks,/face shields and protective suits for their reference,” Alegrio noted.

As a complement to this, the local chambers are also networking with colleges and universities whose chemical laboratories are producing alcohol for distribution to front liners in local hospitals and chamber members following the experience of Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan) whose chemistry laboratories successfully began production of 70% isopropyl and 70% ethanol alcohol which were donated for the use of front liners at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center, the only COVID-19 referral hospital in Region X.

“The Oro Chamber is assisting Xavier Ateneo’s alcohol production through material sourcing of absolute alcohol, the raw material for the isopropyl and ethanol alcohol being processed for the NMMC,” Alegrio said.

Not the least, she reminded the chambers accountability to the individual workers of their respective business establishments, the community where they are situated, and securing their workplaces against the virus.

“The first responsibility of business is to take care of its workers, then to the Community to where the company is located by providing social amelioration, financial assistance and ensuring it follows the DOH guidelines on sanitation and disinfection of the workplace,” Alegrio emphasized.

There are about 45 PCCI local Chambers of Commerce (LCCIs ) in Mindanao, around 90 percent of whose members belong to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) whose capitalization range from P3M-100M with large companies making up some 10 percent of chamber members.

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Oro Rotarians mobilize for CoVid-19 Front Liners

The Rotary Clubs of Cagayan de Oro are mobilizing their resources to answer the call for assistance in securing urgently needed medical supplies for the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), the only COVID-19 referral hospital in Region.

One of the clubs, the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban, delivered to NMMC some of the much needed supplies and continues to procure and locally produce others for the hospital’s front liners.

RC Cdo Rotarians, led by Pres Julino Dulfo and Rotary Anns of Pres Joy ! Josephine Carumba Dumlao, give to NMMC

“Although I’ve been staying in my room since the second week of March, I still managed to discharge my duties as president of the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban and Chairman of the Zone 1 Council of Presidents, Rotary International District 3871 with 13 clubs,” said Rosalinda M. Caragos.

Through their internet chat rooms, Caragos, who is the wife of the late Salvador Caragos, Past District Governor of Rotary International District 3871, called for donations for the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) and the various clubs responded.

These acrylic intubation boxes were fabricated by RC CDO East Urban members upon the request of NMMC doctors.

“We have been regularly supplying NMMA with their urgently needed Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs). Initially we turned over 8 boxes of isolation gowns (with 50 sets per box), and when they asked for more, we sent raincoats, hundreds of face masks, gallons of alcohol and chlorine, soap, et al.”

RC of Cagayan de Oro Premiere was one of the first clubs to quickly respond to call for donations for NMMC and were one of the first to deliver the initial goods for the front liners, after the RC of Cagayan de Oro (Mother Club) which was the first to deliver urgently needed medical supplies and PPEs to the region’s only CoVid-19 Referral Hospital. They also called on their peers and colleagues to donate extra alcohol, disinfectants and goods for the front liners

“Now NMMC are asking for 50 acrylic intubation boxes to protect the doctors and the RC Opol and RC West CDO are now making them,” Caragos added.

This 12 yr old girl and her Rotarian mom made 98 face shields which were donated to NMMC.

She related how one of their members and her 12-year old daughter, hand-made face shields which are due for delivery along with a few more face masks arriving soon through the coordination of the club committee chair, her daughter Stephanie Caragos and co-chair Pam Navarro-Salon.

We are now waiting for over 100 goggles, four dozen raincoats and 98 face shields which are due for delivery,” Stephanie said. “We are also waiting for the delivery of face masks we ordered, hopefully they will arrive this week.”

Receiving the first batch of donated medical supplies and PPEs at NMMC from RC CDO East Urban.

Lately, RC East Urban has also started delivering supplies and PPE to the J.R. Borja General Hospital at Bgy. Carmen which is owned and operated by the city government, which also requested assistance in procuring the urgently needed items.

RC Uptown, through, AG Mitchel Dennis Gonzalez bought 6 boxes of Isolation gowns at 50 sets per box, while RCEU- got 2 boxes

“Some of our members in RC CDO East Urban sends us funds whenever we need more money to buy materials and supplies. RC of CDO also granted our request to re-allocate the grant money they recently received from RI for this purpose.” (RMB)

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