They are the women sewers who stepped up at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, hand-weaving face masks that have been in short supply, saving countless lives.
Giving tribute to these women sewers as they celebrated Mother’s Day, PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), in partnership with Cloudera Singapore, gifted them with fresh produce harvested from the Batangas Organic Farming Cooperative.
Some 200 bayongs (native bags) of vegetables were distributed by PSF and Cloudera to women beneficiaries of the Kababaihan nasa Kamay mo ang Kaligtasan (KKK) which aims to augment our country’s supply of surgical face masks and PPEs.
KKK is a program under the Community Health Education Emergency Rescuers Services Corp. (CHEERS), through the Philippine Commission on Women led by Chairperson Sandy Montano.
The beneficiaries are mostly women who also happen to be recipients of the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), which provides conditional cash grants to the poorest of the poor, solo parents, and working women who were affected by the community quarantines.
"The mothers and women in KKK and CHEERS are very special to us and we are happy to assist them in their endeavors to help ease their burden brought about by the pandemic,” said PSF President Ma. Esther O. Santos.
CHEERS seeks to actively help in addressing the spread of COVID-19 while providing a source of sustainable livelihood for women who need to make a living for their families.
During the early months of the lockdown in 2020, PSF and CHEERS collaborated on the production of reusable face masks which provided livelihood to the women sewers of KKK under CHEERS. PSF donated over 30,000 of these face masks to hospitals and underprivileged communities.
“We are very thankful for the economic sustainability imparted by the partnership,” Montano stated. “Upon learning that there will be a surprise gift for our mananahi (sewers), they couldn’t contain their happiness. They’re so thankful that they have not been forgotten, especially in these pandemic times.”
Other recipients of the bayongs of vegetables included the senior citizens of the Islamic Center in Quiapo, in support of their observance of Ramadan.
With assistance from TV5 Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc., PSF and Cloudera also provided 100 bayongs to solo parents, vendors, and Sta. Lucia Parish volunteers in Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Novaliches, Quezon City.
"We hope that these organic vegetables will help them stay healthy and encourage their respective families to eat healthier to boost their immune systems as they live and work amid pandemic conditions," Santos said.
A non-profit organization, PSF fully serves as the social outreach arm of PLDT, Inc. and its wireless subsidiary, Smart Communications Inc.
“To PSF, you’re such a blessing to our Nanays in CHEERS in these difficult times,” Montano said. “May other organizations like you follow in your footsteps, spreading kindness and good deeds. You’re such a big help to all,” she added.
Headed by PLDT and Smart Chairman Manuel V Pangilinan, the PSF has created programs focused on education, livelihood and social enterprise, disaster response and recovery, youth arts, and sports development.