The professionals and healthcare workers from the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) have found a temporary home at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) through its project dubbed as “Project Safe Shelter.” The partnership has so far accommodated approximately 60 individuals.
DLS-CSB has converted some classrooms and other amenities at its Taft campus to provide a safe space to front liners amid the coronavirus pandemic. The institution utilizes decontamination booths and strictly abides by safety and hygiene protocols.
“As we try to do our part in stemming the spread of the COVID 19, there are those on the frontlines who, by virtue of their calling, are doing even more. These doctors, nurses and providers of support services are today’s heroes, who confirm their heroism repeatedly, every day that they choose to come to work and stand by those entrusted to their care,” shares DLS-CSB president Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez, FSC.
“We have seen their sacrifices, and we have seen its cost. Many of them are being pushed to physical and emotional exhaustion, even as the number of infections increases. As the work that still lies ahead does not look as if it will be getting easier, we need to care for all those courageous and compassionate individuals on whose generosity, skills and efforts we all rely upon,” he continues.
The CSB-PGH Project Safe Shelter is spearheaded by the college vice president for Lasallian Mission and Student Life Neil Pariñas, with the support of its Vice President for Administration David Terence Tiu and director of the Center for Emergency Management, Safety and Security retired BGen. Lito Tabangcura.
Currently, De La Salle Philippines’ Project Safe Shelter has provided accommodations for The Medical City frontliners in La Salle Green Hills. At the same time, the health care workers of Ospital ng Maynila found refuge at the De La Salle University (DLSU).
De La Salle Philippines has likewise welcomed the homeless on its campuses at Benilde and DLSU since the beginning of the enhanced community quarantine.
