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'Pisay' to continue helping communities amid pandemic

By Ma. Cristina Arayata

May 23, 2020, 4:49 pm

<p>(<em>Photo grabbed from Philippine Science High School's Facebook page</em>)</p>

(Photo grabbed from Philippine Science High School's Facebook page)

MANILA – The Philippine Science High School (PSHS or Pisay) will continue to provide aid to communities and front-liners nationwide amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak, its chief said.

"It (outreach program) started around March 20. We are still doing it, and we are running out of raw materials. Thus, production is low," PSHS executive director Lilia Habacon told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a message on Saturday.

In a virtual presser on Friday, Habacon said under the outreach program called "Pisayuda" ("Pisay" and "ayuda" or assistance), the PSHS provides face shields, alcohol, food packs, and fresh food to front-liners and communities.

As of Friday, some 24,253 face shields had been distributed, along with 9,945 food packs and PHP539,495 worth of fresh food.

"We give these to front-liners and challenged families. About 80 percent of our donations come from the PSHS employees, alumni, and friends," she said, adding that the PSHS provides the manpower and supplies, among others.

Habacon said this is being done nationwide and that the PSHS would continue this program.

Meanwhile, Habacon said "Pisayuda" is something that she did not plan.

The idea, she said, started when one teacher posted a photo on his/her social media account, wherein he/she was printing a face shield using his/her own 3D printer.

"I tagged all the directors in that post. In two days, face shields were produced," she said.

Habacon said they decided to continue the idea and turned this into an outreach program.

Those who would want to be part of the program or to contribute may reach out to the office of the executive director, or call 8939-7747, she said. (PNA)

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