Pandemic

Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic

By FIS Social Communications

The FIS Province emergency response team known as the “Don Bosco Disaster Intervention, Response Emergency Coordinating Team” or DB-DIRECT was activated to coordinate the various initiatives and responses to address the crisis.

The rst COVID-19 case in the Philippines was con rmed on January 30, 2020, a day before St. John Bosco’s feast day. The days that followed were marked by tension and anxiety as airports, seaports, and borders started to close. The FIS Province emergency response team known as the “Don Bosco Disaster Intervention,

Response Emergency Coordinating Team” or DB-DIRECT was activated to coordinate the various initiatives and responses to address the crisis. Headed by Fr. Joriz Calsa,

SDB, provincial delegate to the CYM, it is composed of

Salesians and lay people from the di erent provincial commissions.

Friends from the medical industry began asking for help and for prayers. Since there are two Salesian training centers have dressmaking programs, Don Bosco was asked to help produce and provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Alumni and college engineering professors also lent their expertise in designing zero-touch sanitation machines and alcohol dispensers. Hence, the FIS Solidarity COVID-19 response was born.

Using its network of alumni, benefactors, and friends, the FIS Province was able to work with local government units in addressing the needs of the people and of supporting the frontliners. Local houses started their initiatives. DB-DIRECT coordinated these initiatives for a better utilization and sharing of resources, faster and smoother communications, and a provide an avenue to show solidarity.

The diversity of the works in the various Salesian settings of the FIS Province called for contextualised response to the pandemic. Those working with the urban poor are confronting the crisis in a way somewhat di erent from those in far- ung settings like Don Bosco Mati or Don Bosco Borongan. The Salesian works with residential services also responded di erently in schools and in boys’ homes. Each Salesian house was given support to respond to the needs of the locality. Salesians have tried to be creative in providing solutions and help.

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THE SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE GATHERED THE FOLLOWING DATA ON HOW THE HOUSES COPED WITH THE PANDEMIC:

DON BOSCO FORMATION CENTER - LAWAAN

The retreat house in Lawaan was opened to provide accommodation to the frontliners in coordination with DOH-Region 7. There were daily online Masses for the Salesian Family and other religious communities in the vicinity. Infrastructure was setup for the online classes of the aspirants. The aspirants assisted in the manufacturing of PPEs initiated by DB Pasil. Vacant lots in the seminary were utilized and planted with vegetable.

DON BOSCO DUMANGAS

Farming and Music Classes were conducted for the residents in the boys’ home. Daily Masses were o ered by the community. A learning continuity plan was drawn and online enrollment was devised for high school students. The community housed in the hostel a group of frontliners from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) of Dumangas Police. Relief goods were also given to indigent parishioners.

DON BOSCO MATI

Food safety and security were ensured through farming together with some students/boarders to help provide nancial sustainability and for personal consumption; A learning continuity plan was drawn for the blended learning for senior high school and TVET students. A exible working hour for employees was implemented. The basic health standard set by the government was observed by installing disinfection facilities in the parish and training center. The community o ered daily Masses with special intentions. The community also gave nancial support and skills training for stranded students/boarders.

DON BOSCO CALINAN, DAVAO CITY

Daily Masses in the parish were o ered for the stop of the pandemic, for recovery of the infected, for the peaceful death of the dying, for the protection of the frontliners, for the Pope, and for the Church. The extension center in Buda had their own initiatives. A portion of the house became a home and shelter for two stranded Vietnamese and Fr. Jose Dwight San Juan, SDB, a Filipino missionary to East Timor who got stranded after his retreat in Malabalay City, Bukidnon. The sta assisted the stranded individuals in securing necessary clearances and passes. Fr. Franco Uras gave essential goods to the sta and several families. The B’laan student/bene ciaries of the center started a vegetable garden while the sta farmed the other area, planting cash crops and others for food production.

DON BOSCO MAMBUCAL

Fr. Bong Borgueta, rector and parish priest, ensured that the faith of the parishioners is sustained and nourished through the continued celebration of the Holy Masses, praying of the holy rosary broadcasted through radio, and the bringing of the Blessed Sacrament around Mambucal. Parishioners were encouraged to pray the rosary and to strengthen their Marian devotion. Fr. Bong also visited the chapels for adoration/benediction and faith sharing. People were updated regarding COVID-19. The parish implemented a exible working hour for the sta and discussed with them some coping measures with their families. They were encouraged to plant vegetable for sustainability and were give nancial assistance. Through some generous benefactors they were able to distribute food packs to the parishioners who are needy. Youth leaders were reach out to other youth through texting and group chats encouraging them to do some creative intervention like engaging in new hobbies, household chores, and learning new skills. Digital Pastoral Care was done through information dissemination on Basic Health Measure and Standards via texts, social media, and chat groups. Parishioners were informed about live stream Masses so they could participate. Parishioners were encouraged to send in their intentions and prayer requests.

DON BOSCO PASIL

Online Masses were held daily with a novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help on Wednesdays and novena to Sto. Niño on Fridays. There was an online daily recitation of the rosary, and on Fridays, also online adoration. PPEs and face masks were manufactured for the frontliners. Donations and goods were collected from benefactors for the needy parishioners and residents. Before the lockdown, the Blessed Sacrament and the image of Sto. Niño were brought in procession around Pasil. The people were encouraged to do gardening and planting in response to the invitation of Pope Francis.

DON BOSCO DUMAGUETE

Online daily Masses and adoration were held. Online classes were set up for students.

DON BOSCO LILOAN

Face shields were manufactured. Food was distributed to di erent Don Bosco houses, parishioners, religious organizations, Don Bosco Lay Mission Partners, Cebu City and Cebu provinces frontliners. Financial assistance was given to the sta and the workers.

DON BOSCO TECHNICAL INSTITUTE – VICTORIAS AND ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER PARISH

Daily online Masses were held. Online enrollment and classes were set up as well as training for teachers for the new normal. Food packs and relief goods were distributed in far- ung barangays in the parish. Transportation services were also shared with government workers in their work in the barangays.

DON BOSCO TECHNICAL COLLEGE – PUNTA PRINCESA

A learning continuity plan was set up to ensure that classes continue during the pandemic. Teachers and sta were given nancial and material assistance. Work schedules were adjusted, and many were allowed to work from home. Working with DPWH-Region 7, beds were produced in the shops for the isolation centers in Metro Cebu. The carpentry produced comfort crosses for patients at the request of the Archbishop. The college department produced touch-free alcohol dispensing machines and spraying sanitation machines for public markets in the vicinity. Online Masses and religious activities were organized to keep the faith alive during the pandemic. The school also used the opportunity to do preventive maintenance, upgrade, and construct new facilities.

ARCHDIOCESAN SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES

Daily Masses, mid-day adoration, and evening rosary were live streamed through their o cial Facebook page. The parish launched the 555 challenge, a fund drive wherein people will be able to share their blessings, say for instance, 5 kilos of rice, 5 canned goods, and 5 packs of noodles. The gathered donations together with other goods donated to the parish were distributed as food assistance to the less fortunate parishioners and families of the nearby barangays. Because of the pandemic, the weekly feeding program was converted to a mobile feeding program.