November 12, 2025
Tzu Chi donates face masks to 10 schools in Marikina and San Mateo, Rizal
By Dorothy Castro
On November 4, Tzu Chi volunteers visited 10 schools in Marikina City and San Mateo, Rizal to distribute face masks amidst the growing cases of “influenza-like illnesses” affecting various areas of the Philippines.
The Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases reported 2,028 influenza cases for October in Metro Manila, a 22% rise in comparison to the previous month.
Since then, public and private schools have taken precautionary measures such as shifting to asynchronous learning modalities and taking health breaks.
In solidarity with the education sector, Tzu Chi volunteers turned over more than 100,000 face masks in 57 sacks to Malanday Elementary School, Conception Integrated School (Elementary), Conception Integrated School (Secondary),H. Bautista Elementary School, Nangka Elementary School, and Nangka High School, all in Marikina City; and Maly Elementary School, San Mateo Elementary School, San Mateo High School, and Guitnang Bayan Elementary School in San Mateo.
“This is greatly helpful for the students to use daily, especially since there are many communicable illnesses nowadays,” said Jenniviy Bernardino, the school OIC for Governance in Maly Elementary School.
“It’s truly a blessing to be visited by Tzu Chi, and I hope this will be the beginning of our journey together, like we collaborated in promoting safety for our school community,” said Cynthia Tompong, principal of San Mateo Elementary School.
On November 4, Tzu Chi volunteers visited ten schools in Marikina and San Mateo, Rizal to donate face masks.
Tzu Chi volunteers first traveled to Maly Elementary School to turn over 10,000 face masks.
Tzu Chi volunteers coordinate with Jenniviy Bernardino, the school OIC for Governance in Maly Elementary School.
Tzu Chi volunteer Johnny Kwok (left) discusses Tzu Chi’s face mask donation with Cynthia Tompong, principal of San Mateo Elementary School.
Tzu Chi volunteers brought 7,500 pieces of face masks to San Mateo Elementary School.
Tzu Chi’s local volunteers help in unloading the sacks of face masks.
Tzu Chi volunteers visited Guitnang Bayan Elementary School to bring 15,000 pieces of face masks.
Tzu Chi volunteer James Cheng (right) helps carry the sacks of face masks to the schools for distribution.
Tzu Chi volunteers brought seven sacks containing 15,000 pieces of face masks to San Mateo National High School.
Tzu Chi volunteers visited Malanday Elementary School.
Tzu Chi volunteer Luis Diamante places a “Go Vegetarian” sticker on a school’s bulletin board.
Tzu Chi volunteers distribute five sacks containing 15,000 pieces of face masks in Malanday Elementary School
Tzu Chi volunteers coordinate with the office of H. Bautista Elementary School, turning over six sacks (or 10,000 pieces) of face masks.
Tzu Chi volunteers turned over six sacks (or 10,000 pieces) of face masks to Conception Integrated School (Secondary).
Visiting 10 schools in one day was possible with the coordinated efforts of Tzu Chi volunteers.
Visiting 10 schools in one day was possible with the coordinated efforts of Tzu Chi volunteers.
Tzu Chi volunteers turned over six sacks (or 10,000 pieces) of face masks to Conception Integrated School (Elementary).
Tzu Chi volunteers bring four sacks (or 7,500 pieces) of face masks to Nangka High School.
Tzu Chi volunteers bring seven sacks (or 12,500 pieces) of face masks to Nangka Elementary School