UPOU students take on volunteer work during COVID-19 crisis

Amidst the threat of COVID-19, 12  University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) students continued to heed the call of volunteerism across the country. Their volunteer efforts, done in coordination with various private institutions, government and non-government organizations, were reflected in the documentation survey released by the UP Open University Ugnayan ng Pahinungod (OUPahinungod) on 25 March 2020. 

Of the 12  students that responded to the survey, five students were from the Faculty of Education (FEd), four were under the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), and three were students from the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS). 

Among the volunteer activities reported were  spearheading COVID-19 awareness and safety information campaigns, one in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and another one in the National Capital Region (NCR). 

Other UPOU students from NCR were involved in the monitoring of COVID-19 cases as well as in the production and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) such as face masks and face shields. Volunteers from the CALABARZON area were also making face shields, as well as blending of alcohol. 

In the Eastern Visayas region, UPOU students were also involved in the production and distribution of face shields not only for the frontliners but to market vendors as well. These activities were done in coordination with the faculty and staff of the Eastern Visayas State University-Ormoc City (EVSU-OC). 

Face shields and face masks prepared by EVSU-Ormoc City faculty and staff were distributed to the market vendors in Ormoc City. (Images provided by Ms. Georgina Orbeta)

Student volunteers also helped in the dissemination of audio recordings and flyers containing advisories on COVID-19 from the Department of Health (DOH)  and executive orders from the local government units (LGU) in Southern Leyte province. They also assisted in the production and distribution of disinfectants which  were distributed to checkpoints personnel and to residents of different barangays in Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte. 

Some UPOU students based abroad sent donations to different institutions providing assistance to people badly affected by the pandemic.  

OUPahinungod continually encourages the UPOU students to fill-out this survey for wide documentation of the students’ volunteer works. For inquiries or concerns regarding the survey, contact OUPahinungod through [email protected]. 

Sustainable Development Goals

Written by RMVereña and CVMina

Edited by Joane V. Serrano