BALANGA CITY — Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) distributed personal protective equipment (PPEs) and food packs to frontliners in the fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
BPSU is an accredited training school of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Extension and Training Services Office Director Bernadeth Gabor said they launched “Project Aruga” wherein about 1,750 food packs, 120 packs cookies and healthy chips, and 100 packs relief goods were prepared and delivered to frontliners and other affected families.
“We have also distributed 300 washable face masks, 1,860 disposable face masks, 50 KN95 face masks, 2,400 disposable hand gloves, 30 isolation gowns, 110 face shields and laboratory gowns, 64 bunny suits and 21 gallons of alcohol to medical and health workers in various hospitals, security guards, frontliners in district jails, marshals, and police or barangay checkpoints all over the province,” Gabor added.
BPSU campus in Orani town also produced 1,100 washable face masks which were already distributed to different frontliners in Bataan.
“We can’t just sit down comfortably in our homes or just let the days pass by, watching things to unfold. Something must be done, and help, care and the message of love and support must be sent not just for the COVID-19 victims but to the heroic frontliners of Bataan as well,” she stressed.
Project Aruga was an initiative of various heads and administrators of BPSU by encouraging volunteerism and cash or in-kind donations.
For her part, TESDA Provincial Director Julie Ann Banganan lauded the efforts of BPSU for providing relief and support amid the crisis.
“Bataeños are indeed lucky to have caring and loving compatriots in Bataan continuously and selflessly helping not only the frontliners but also other residents who are in need in these times of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Banganan furthered.
Aside from BPSU, Bangan recognized the contributions of other registered technical-vocational institutions in the province such as the Bataan Heroes Memorial College, D’ Planners Training Center, Eastwoods Professional College of Science and Technology, Electrotechnical Institute, Microcity College of Business Technology, Microcity Institute of Instrumentation Technology, Philippine Academy of Technical Studies, Philippine Women’s University-CDCEC, Skill Enhancement Academy and Training Center, and Softnet Information Technology Center.
Moreover, TESDA training centers in Orion and Mariveles, and the newly registered farmers field schools namely, Greenhaven Farm in Pilar and Diaz Agri Farm in Orani, have been continuously providing food assistance to identified beneficiaries since the implementation of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.