MANILA, Philippines - A corporate-led social development foundation yesterday urged the public to donate lipstick and make-up kits for teachers displaced by the conflict in Marawi City to “liven up” their faces.
Citing their experience after the devastation of Super Typhoon Yolanda, Rey Laguda, executive director of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), said providing evacuees with means to restore their dignity and uplift their spirits is important during relief and rehabilitation efforts.
“We can make teachers feel beautiful by giving them lipstick and make-up. Consequently, the smile on their faces can provide hope to the students,” said Laguda, a former official of the Department of Education (DepEd).
“We are appealing for donations of lipstick and make-up for 5,000 teachers and volunteer workers in the front lines of humanitarian work. We hope you can be part of this simple but meaningful gesture of solidarity by providing dignity through beauty,” he added.
Laguda, along with PBSP president and former DepEd secretary Armin Luistro, earlier went to Iligan City to distribute non-food relief packs to home-based evacuees or those staying with relatives.
The PBSP said they have collected donations and pledges totaling P5.68 million.
“These contributions from corporations and individuals will help us provide the needed assistance to at least 4,000 families, including hundreds of public school teachers from Marawi, Iligan and nearby towns,” Luistro said.
“Our team is working with the government and non-government organization partners to deploy assistance this week. We hope to get more information about other needs as well as plans for rehabilitation and provide updates thereafter,” he added.
Construction materials, school kits
Education Secretary Leonor Briones called on the public to donate school kits and construction materials that will be used in the repair of schools affected by the Marawi crisis.
“Insofar as the needs of DepEd are concerned, we are interested in desks, paint and other construction materials. We also need shoes and slippers for the students,” Briones said.
“This is not because we don’t consider food as important but the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and other civil society groups are already collecting those,” she added.
Brigada Eskwela in Marawi
Briones said they would conduct a special Brigada Eskwela in Marawi as soon as the military completes clearing operations in the city.
At least seven public schools were reportedly damaged during the clashes between soldiers and members of the Maute terrorist group.
Classes remain suspended in Marawi City and eight districts in Lanao del Sur.