UST Department of Philosophy COVID-19 Fundraising Campaign
PAOLO BOLANOS
The Department of Philosophy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila
COVID-19 Fundraising Campaign
Dear Fellow Thomasians and Friends,
At beginning of the enhanced community quarantine due to the spread of COVID-19, the faculty members of the Department of Philosophy, University of Santo Tomas, initiated a quick fundraising drive in support of some non-academic personnel of the university. While as a small group we were able to gather a relatively modest amount and we were able to help several of our sidelined personnel, we know very well that it was not enough.
It is true that all of us are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as our daily routines have been profoundly altered by the spread of the virus and the measures being implemented by the Philippine government in the hope of curtailing its spread. As the daily cases of infection and deaths increase, we believe that we are just witnessing the tip of the iceberg—we must, therefore, prepare ourselves for a more difficult war ahead, a war that we hope to win, not just as a nation, but as a global community. However, this war will never be won if we do not ourselves contribute to the effort of fighting COVID-19. For this reason, we have decided to expand our fundraising campaign and fortify our efforts by soliciting the help of people outside our Department.
While many of us are comfortably nestled in our homes, probably well-stocked and protecting ourselves and our love ones, we must not forget that the most vulnerable people are those who are outside our households. They are the people whom we do not see but are there ubiquitously. The front liners, our unsung heroes and heroines from the medical field, who are fighting the battle on our behalf; contractual and non-academic personnel (janitors, security guards, and clerks), who have been sidelined financially because of the no work no pay policy; and thousands of our Kababayans, who have been living from hand to mouth and are now hungry because they could not work. They are the ones in dire straits who need our help.
If you believe in our cause and would like to help us in helping others, then please consider sending your monetary donations. You could do so by a few clicks on a computer mouse (or a few taps on a smartphone) and you may donate any amount you have at your disposal. The collected money will be used for the following specific purposes:
1) To support the production of 3D printed face shields and aerosol boxes for the use of medical front liners. We are going to coordinate with the UST Faculty of Engineering for the procurement of supplies used in 3D printing.
2) To provide financial assistance to sidelined non-academic personnel of the university (janitors, guards, and clerks). We have initiated a partnership with the Arts and Letters Faculty Association (ALFA) so that we could distribute the financial aid more efficiently.
3) To support the relief efforts of the government. We are going to coordinate with the Office of the Vice-President so that we could reach the proper channels.
You may send your donations through the following options:
1) Electronic bank transfer to either of the accounts below,
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Franz Giuseppe Cortez
Acct # 023-659-8086
Swift code BOPIPHMM
Security Bank
Franz Giuseppe Cortez
Acct # 017-137-0652432
Swift code SETCPHMM
2) GCash,
Via express send
Reference Mobile # 09478970128
3) PayPal,
If you have any questions regarding this fundraising campaign, you may reach us by sending an email to any of the following jvca...@ust.edu.ph, pabo...@ust.edu.ph, ffco...@ust.edu.ph, or faal...@ust.edu.ph.
We would also appreciate it if you could help us disseminate this solicitation (https://www.facebook.com/ustphilodept/posts/2866814436766582?__tn__=K-R).
Thank you and we are praying for your safety and health.
The members of the UST Department of Philosophy
Faculty of Arts and Letters
University of Santo
Tomas
