The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) provided aid to UPLB students who are stranded in dormitory and housing facilities inside and outside the campus after the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine was declared on March 16.

In interviews given to various media outfits, students said that they “felt they were better off” staying in the campus or at their housing facility in Los Baños.

Of the students that did not go home, a good number are from Bicol, Visayas, Mindanao, and are foreign graduate students.

PRC turned over on April 1 a week’s supply of rice for 1,500 students, face masks, towels, bottled water, and hygiene kits containing supplies that would last for a month’s use.

This came about after Chancellor Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. made an urgent appeal for donations on March 26 so that UPLB could sustain the provision of food and other needs of the students.

Senator Richard Gordon, PRC chairman and chief executive, immediately responded to the call. At the turnover were PRC Governor Andrew Nocon, Board Member Neil Andrew Nocon, and Rowell P. Ramos, staff in charge of the PRC Calamba City Satellite Office. 

At the turnover were Chancellor Sanchez, UPLB COVID-19 Response Team chair, Dr. Roberto G. Visco, and members  Zoilo D. Belano, Jr., Jonathan D. Maliwat, Glenn S. Lubuguin, and Rocky T. Marcelino, OVCSA.

(photos courtesy of Chito Khe, Jo Maliwat)