A total of 14,944 pairs of brand new shoes for children, 165 hand sanitizers, and safety
kits were donated by SM Foundation Inc. through their Operation Tulong Express and
SM Store to the Department of Social Welfare and Development Camarines Norte,
Camarines Sur, and Albay Provincial Operations Offices (POO) in Region V last
February 2022.
It can be recalled that SM Foundation Inc. donated 4 boxes of toys for the victims of
Super Typhoon Odette through the donation drive organized by DSWD Field Office V
early this year.
DSWD Field Office V Identified Pantawid Beneficiaries as Recipients
Camarines Norte POO received a total of 215 pairs of brand new shoes, 165 hand sanitizers, and safety kits which were then distributed to Pantawid Children beneficiaries
during the Brigada Eskwela cum Clean-up Drive at Bagasbas Elementary School (49
pairs), Daet Elementary School (59 pairs), UP Teacher’s Village Elementary School (20
pairs), Mantagbak Elementary School (46 pairs), Calasgasan Elementary School (18
pairs) and Zurbano Elementary School (23 pairs) last February 23, 2022.
Camarines Sur POO received a total of 9,729 pairs of brand new shoes which are
scheduled for distribution by the DSWD City/Municipal Action Teams to Pantawid
Children beneficiaries this March during pediatric vaccinations and women’s month
celebration in the following Cities/Municipalities: Naga City (479 pairs), Baao (250 pairs),
Balatan (250 pairs), Bato (250 pairs), Buhi (250 pairs), Bula (250 pairs), Iriga City (250
pairs), Nabua (250 pairs), Pili (250 pairs), Cabusao (250 pairs), Del Gallego (250 pairs),
Libmanan (250 pairs), Lupi (250 pairs), Pamplona (250 pairs), Pasacao (250 pairs),
Ragay (250 pairs), San Pascual (250 pairs), Sipocot (250 pairs), Caramoan (250 pairs),
Goa (250 pairs), Lagonoy (250 pairs), Ocampo (250 pairs), Presentacion (250 pairs),
Sagnay (250 pairs), San Jose (250 pairs), Tigaon (250 pairs), Tinambac (250 pairs),
Bombon (250 pairs), Camaligan (250 pairs), Calabanga (250 pairs), Canaman (250
pairs), Gainza (250 pairs), Garchitorena (250 pairs), Magarao (250 pairs) and Milaor
(250 pairs). Meanwhile, Albay POO received a total of 5,000 pairs of brand new shoes
which are also scheduled for distribution by the DSWD City/Municipal Action Teams to
Pantawid Children beneficiaries this March, in time of pediatric vaccinations, in the
following cities/municipalities: Bacacay (250 pairs), Camalig (250 pairs), Ligao City (450
pairs), Tabaco City (500 pairs), Claveria (100 pairs), Daraga (300 pairs), Guinobatan
(300 pairs), Jovellar (100 pairs), Legazpi City (550 pairs), Libon (300 pairs), Malilipot
(200 pairs), Malinao (200 pairs), Manito (100 pairs), Oas (300 pairs), Pio Duran (250
pairs), Polangui (250 pairs), Rapu-Rapu (200 pairs), Santo Domingo (200 pairs), and
Tiwi (200 pairs). As the agency in social protection, the DSWD is mandated to protect
and promote the rights and best interest of children, among which is ensuring that they
are safe and protected from any form of health risk, including that of COVID-19. DSWD,
in support of the fight against COVID-19, encourages Pantawid grantees, as well as
children beneficiaries, to be inoculated.
A pair of shoes is not just for the protection of the feet of the Batang 4Ps who were
recipients of the donation, but it also gives hope for the children beneficiaries who were
on house lockdowns brought about by the restrictions imposed by IATF during the
COVID-19 pandemic. It embodies grit and persistence to encourage Pantawid Children
beneficiaries to continue learning and pursue their education as we are now facing
future resumption of classes vis-à-vis, with the drop of COVID-19 cases in the region.