Written by Din M. Villafuerte
Caritas Philippines bears witness to this, being fully aware of the realities on the ground especially in farflung areas of the country. The humanitarian, development and advocacy arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines is particular with its collaborative undertakings, carefully choosing partners such as Unilab Inc., to ensure that aid will reach Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (Gida), from Ifugao to Sulu.
“Caritas Philippines and Unilab have been working together on several initiatives. We share the same principles and values in serving our fellow Filipinos who need it the most,” said Fr. Antonio Labiao Jr., executive secretary of Caritas Philippines.
Fr. Antonio E. Labiao Jr., Executive Secretary, Caritas Philippines and Claire D. Papa, Head, External Affairs and Social Partnerships, UNILAB Inc., sign the Memorandum of Agreement.
Caritas Philippines and Unilab recently signed a memorandum of agreement in an effort to strengthen their well-meaning partnership. Both hope as well that it would become a civil society model in implementing joint humanitarian programs that seek to address the needs of the most vulnerable communities in the country.
In 2021, as the country launched the Covid-19 national vaccination program, both parties saw the possibility of expanding the reach of the LGUs in getting priority sectors such as senior citizens and those who have comorbidities to be vaccinated. In partnership with the Quezon City Health Department, Caritas Philippines and Unilab held church-based vaccinations which was replicated in other areas.
“This formal signing of a memorandum is a documentation of our commitment, as well as proof of our alliance for the next generation of leaders of our respective organizations. We are developing a template on how a faith-based organization and private sector may complement each other for a common goal,” added Labiao.
Feeding, vitamin supplementation program
Malnutrition and stunting among babies and children are among the main concerns of Caritas in the country. The Department of Health recently reported that at least 21.6 percent of infants and toddlers in the Philippines are stunted, acknowledging this as a long-standing problem of Filipinos.
In December 2020, amidst the pandemic, the country was hit by Typhoon Ulysses during Christmas break. Unilab and Caritas Philippines swiftly responded to provide basic goods and medicines to the affected provinces.
“Five years ago, we started working together with Unilab on several projects. The impact that we have made recently on several farflung areas across the country through our feeding and vitamin supplementation program helped address the severe malnutrition among the young,” revealed Bishop Colin Bagaforo, national president of Caritas Philippines. “We initially targeted to reach out to 100,000 young children but we have surpassed this number.”
Unilab and Caritas Philippines’ collaboration covered areas from Bontoc, Lagawe, to Sulu in the previous year. Unilab’s Ceelin vitamins were given to children who participated in a feeding program, which was carried out simultaneously in various parts of the country, including remote barangays in the mountains and small islands that are reachable only by small boats and hours of trekking.
As part of its Alagang Unilab program, boxes of basic necessities were distributed in far flung areas though the mobilization of Caritas Philippines’ social action network.
Common advocacy
Caritas Philippines was founded in 1966 and has been active in programs that include poverty alleviation, women and children empowerment, environment protection and emergency response. It represents 86 dioceses.
Unilab, on the other hand, is the country’s leading pharmaceutical and health care company. It was founded in 1945 and highly regarded as a Filipino company that espouses the Filipino culture of bayanihan.
Disaster response is a common advocacy for Caritas Philippines and Unilab, the Philippines being one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. The two have been staunch supporters of community-based health programs which tie in social and cultural considerations.
“We are grateful for the trust of Caritas Philippines to us as a partner. We look forward to working with them as we continue to serve our fellow Filipinos in times of need,” says Jose Maria A. Ochave, senior vice president for external affairs of Unilab Inc.
“Sa panahon ng pangangailangan, tayo pa ring mga Pilipino ang tutulong sa kapwa natin Pilipino. We rise and fall together as one nation so we must be able to live and breathe the spirit of malasakit and bayanihan to be able to move forward.”