VILLABA, LEYTE — Latter-day Saint (LDS) Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has donated nearly ₱1 million worth of student armchairs and essential medical equipment to the local government unit of Villaba, Leyte.
Strengthening Local Schools and Community Healthcare Services
Villaba Vice Mayor Edgar Veloso accepted the donations during a formal turnover ceremony at Villaba South Central School, attended by local health officers and school heads representing seven recipient campuses across the municipality:
Educational Support: The organization provided close to ₱700,000 worth of plastic armchairs. Helen Paroco, head teacher of Hinabuyan National High School, noted that the donation fulfills a long-standing request submitted in 2022 to replace worn-out seating for students.
Medical Equipment Provision: A total of ₱236,500 worth of medical supplies was turned over to support local health workers, including rapid dengue test kits, sphygmomanometers, stethoscopes, fetal dopplers, glucometers, strips, and lancets.
Impact on Rural Health: Villaba Municipal Health Officer Dr. Oliver Razo expressed gratitude, stating the equipment allows the Rural Health Unit (RHU) to stretch limited resources and deliver timely, quality healthcare to residents who depend solely on public facilities.
Faith in Action and Community Humanitarian Service
The initiative highlights the ongoing collaboration between international faith-based organizations and local administrative bodies to meet critical community needs:
Spirit of Service: Arnold Daradal, president of the Church’s Ormoc Philippines Stake, emphasized that the outreach follows the example of Jesus Christ in serving communities regardless of religious affiliation.
LDS Charities Mission: The donation aligns with the foundation's core objectives to relieve suffering, foster self-reliance, and provide sustainable support to developing communities.
