In welcoming the new year, frontliners and disaster-hit residents in Quezon City received various forms of assistance from the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF), the social responsibility arm of Araneta City, and the Binibining Pilipinas Charities Inc. (BPCI) on January 7.

Medical frontliners of the city were given personal protective equipment (PPE) suits and shoes in a turn-over ceremony held at the City Hall. The suits were made by women from Barangays Greater Lagro and Sto. Cristo who were trained on sewing techniques and pattern making under the Bayang Hinabi Project to start their own livelihood.

The project was supported by JAAF together with Spark Philippines, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the QC local government unit (LGU) through the office of Councilor PM Vargas.

To complement the PPE suits, BPCI and partner World Balance provided shoes for the target beneficiaries.

Present during the turnover ceremony were: QC Mayor Joy Belmonte; Diane Romero, JAAF Executive Director Diane Romero; Gines Enriquez, BPCI Head; Maica Teves, SPARK Philippines Executive Director; Elma Viray, Head of the Department of Trade and Industry National Capital Regional Office for Area 3; and Mona Celine Yap, Officer-in-Charge of the QC Small Business Cooperatives Development Promotions Office.

Also provided assistance on the same day were residents of Purok 2 in Barangay Culiat who were affected by a fire incident last December 29. The incident reached fifth alarm and displaced about 100 families.

Food packs were turned over by JAAF to Ms. Lilibeth Flores and Ms. Allen Agudal on behalf of the affected community. Joining them in the donation turnover were: Barangay Kagawad Marichu Montehermoso; Carlo Quilan, a Coordinator from the Office of Mayor Belmonte; and Helen Valenzuela from JAAF.

“Maraming salamat po sa J. Amado Araneta Foundation para sa binigay ninyo sa aming panimula. Nagpapasalamat kami ng lubos, at sana po marami pa kayong matulungan. God bless po,” Flores said.