Monthly Charity Beneficiaries

As the government tried to mitigate the  COVID 19 pandemic in the country, it imposed an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) that affected many Filipinos’ economy and livelihood. The ECQ that lasted for 3 months and MECQ, MGCQ, & GCQ that followed, strained the livelihoods of many, especially those less fortunate.

As a result, The Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines holds regular aid distributions, helping impoverished residents with rice and other household necessities. The volunteers, despite their own fears of contracting the virus, take a leap of faith by equipping themselves with complete protective equipment (face mask, face shield, gloves, and alcohol), and empower themselves with their compassion to send immediate support to the people.

Part of the sector receiving aid as part of a 3-month long material aid distribution are jeepney, tricycle, and pedicab drivers. After months of community quarantine, the transportation sector was hard hit, with drivers unable to have the means to earn a living. As a result, many drivers who could not find alternative jobs resorted to begging in the streets.  

Determined to help, Tzu Chi volunteers survey the poorest communities for days and reach out to their local governments for assistance and guidance in distributing aid to those living in the poorest communities. Local governments, local police, and even the AFP often help in overseeing crowd control, for which Tzu Chi volunteers are immensely grateful.