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MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government placed Luzon under lockdown as a response to the spike of positive coronavirus cases in the country.
This new measure implements strict quarantine procedures, suspension of transportation services, and regulation of food and essential health services, among others. Additional travel restrictions were rolled out while local governments across the capital region moved to implement an 8 pm to 5 am curfew in their respective areas.
To help people access their need for necessary information such as health inquiry, psychological services among others, several groups have offered to provide a consultation desk.
MovePH, Rappler’s civic engagement arm, will focus on crowdsourcing and making sense of community needs during this time. The team will be working with individuals, volunteers, organizations and groups that are interested and willing to help those who are in need. (READ: #CourageON: Help report needs during Luzon lockdown)
Our goal is to provide a quick and appropriate response to the needs of the people by creating an organized system of information that will help match the needs of the people to the ongoing efforts of the community.
Here’s a list of the ongoing initiatives related to information services:
HEALTH INQUIRIES AND CONSULTATIONS
Circle of Hope Community Services, Inc.
Circle of Hope Community Services, Inc. launched “Self Compassion Break,” which provides free telemental health services for healthcare workers.
This self-compassion break aims to give the immune system a much needed boost to support frontliners’ physical and mental well-being.
To schedule, healthcare workers may contact Bea at 09178822324 or Jabby at 09255570888. They may also sign up for free sessions here.
Coalition for People’s Right to Health
The group provides a hotline for COVID-19:Payong Pangkalusugan (health advisory). You may reach them out through their hotline 02-8929-8109 or 02-8806-1306.
DOH announced its emergency hotlines at 02-894-COVID (02-894-26843) and 1555 where callers may direct questions related to COVID-19.
This is in partnership with the National Emergency Hotline of the DILG, PLDT, and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc.
For more information, you may visit this page.
The Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS,Inc.) launched a crisis hotline to provide accessible legal advice, consultation, and information aid to the public.
Lawyers and paralegals, through the hotline, give free legal assistance by responding to queries about government protocols, relief operations, social welfare concerns and legal rights education in the context of the enhanced community quarantine.
Over 200 clients, mostly employees, were given free legal assistance by responding to queries about government protocols, relief operations, social welfare concerns and legal rights education in the context of the enhanced community quarantine.
You may reach the IDEALS Hotline through 0966 760 9397 or chat the IDEALS Facebook Page.
To help Philippine-based employees deal with disruption that can come at a cost to mental health, MindNation extends its help in this time of crisis by providing free online consultation with their psychologists from March 18-27 or until slots are available from 8am to 9pm.
Employees are required to book through their company email for verification with their ideal schedule and mode of communication (voice or video call).
To book, you may email hello@themindnation.com with the subject “FREE CONSULTATION BOOKING”. In the body, include your name, schedule (ex. Tuesday, March 17, 1pm) and your preferred mode (voice call). A confirmation email response will be sent within the day.
Know more about this here.
The Longos National High School Supreme Student Government in Malabon City launched Project LIGTAS: Legitimate Information for General Safety against COVID-19 crisis in cooperation with General Parents and Teachers Association, Sangguniang Kabataan ng Longos, and Global Institute for Youth Development.
The project aims to disseminate factual information about the coronavirus, advise people on how not to be infected, and inform people how to lessen the chance of spreading the virus.
You may check Longos National High School Supreme Student Government Facebook page for more information.
The UP Diliman Psychological Services (UPD PsycServ)
UPD PsycServ is offering telepsychotherapy services for free for the healthcare frontliners who need someone to talk to.
Interested healthcare workers may contact 09063743466 and indicate name, designation and affiliated hospital.
Thomasian Mental Health Responders
The Thomasian Mental Health Responders, led by the Association of Thomasian Psychology Alumni together with the UST Department of Psychology, offers free psychosocial support and telecounseling services to the Thomasian community and to the public.
You may sign up for free mental health services here or contact on viber/message at 09171521817.
WeCare (We Connect, Act and Respond to Emergencies)
WeCare is a platform developed and managed by Cortex Technology Corporation, which connects individuals or groups willing and able to provide assistance to those in need during the coronavirus crisis.
To be a part of the platform, you may sign up using your Facebook account and specify if you are a donor or an individual requesting for assistance. Follow their instructions on the page to set up your profile.
If you have any questions, you can send them a message through support@wecare.ph.
TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY
Sakay.PH came up with a mobility dashboard organizing the latest updates for mobility during the COVID-19 community quarantine for frontline workers, medical professionals and public citizens’ need to attend its basic needs in drug stories, groceries, and hospitals.
You may visit their page here.
For a consolidated list of efforts aimed to help provide transportation and delivery services needed by the frontliners and those in need, click here.
SKILLS/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Devcon Philippines is looking for volunteers for its DevCon Community Technology Initiative (DCTx Project), a project that aims to create a robust, rapidly deployable contact tracing platform to help reduce the spread of the COVID19 Pandemic.
Those who want to volunteer may fill up this form.
The group updates the latest needed roles for the project. You may visit their Facebook page to know more.
Public Health Communications Advisory Network (PHCAN)
PHCAN is a network of organizations and volunteers composed of professionals from the fields of public health, creatives, communications, and public policy.
The group launched a campaign for the health care workers (HCWs) who are at the frontlines in community clinics, hospitals, and public health organizations to show its admiration and support for all their hard work. They are gathering messages of support that will boost their morale and unity in this fight against COVID-19.
You may read about this here.
Several groups also launched initiatives for people to share their skills and time to help out during the coronavirus crisis. Click here to know more.
SHOW SUPPORT
Akbayan called on the public to support the validation of COVID-19 test kits and urged the private sector to adopt measures to ensure that raw materials for the manufacturing of the testing kits are available.
Financial contributions for the validation of test kits may be made via the UP Medical Foundation, Inc.
Donations can be coursed through:
The UP Medical Foundation, Inc
Bank: BDO, Bocobo-Pedro Gil Branch
Account No: 353-0094-018.
Email address: upmf1980@gmail.com
The UPMF Inc. can furnish receipts upon request.
Solidarity of Unions in the Philippines for Empowerment and Reforms (SUPER)
In a campaign dubbed “#StandWithWorkers: Panawagan sa mga Employer sa gitna ng COVID 19 Crisis,” the Solidarity of Unions in the Philippines for Empowerment and Reforms launched a petition to report companies or employers implementing unjust policies during the enhanced community quarantine. They are asking the public to sign the petition.
The information gathered will be relayed to the Department of Labor and Employment and local government units where the reported companies are located.
The group will also post the list of reported companies to discourage employers from unjust practices during this crisis.
– Rappler.com
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