When the COVID-19 cases surged in the mining community of Lepanto, the alumni of Lepanto High School/Lepanto National High School and their friends started a relief operation to help provide needs of affected families.
A total of 1,285 food packs were delivered to families in Barangays Paco and Sapid starting November 30, 2020. Vegetables and fruits were donated to the community kitchen where volunteers took turns cooking for the hundreds of patients in isolation in Casubigan, LNHS, Lepanto Elementary School and Marivic Elementary School. Breads, vitamins, soaps, vitamins, face masks, face shields, alcohol and tissue papers were also distributed to patients.
On January 5, 2021, apples, vitamins, face masks and face shields donated by the alumni and friends were packed by LNHS faculty and staff and distributed to all high school students.
Aside from LHS/LNHS alumni batches, donations were given by TESDA CAR, Baguio City; Boaging’s Bakeshop; Philex constituents; Home Asia Properties; Aspuria Ventures Millenial Builders; Integrated Bar of the Philippines; Association of Chemical Engineers, Baguio-Benguet. A few good hearted-individuals also chipped in to fund the relief operations.
Atty. Lionel Wanawan (LNHS Batch 1993), the alumni president coordinated with the municipal mayor Atty Frenzel Ayong (LNHS Batch 1994) and LNHS school head Dr. Sharon Angupa (LNHS Batch 1996) for the alumni and friends relief operations in the community. Angupa then coordinated the activity with Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company Social Development Department OIC Ma. Consuelo Odoňo (LHS Batch 1981) and Paco Punong Barangay James Gomgom-o (LHS Batch 1981) and Sapid Punong Barangay Dennis Mayames (LHS Batch 1987) for the distribution of food packs and other donations.
By Juliene C. Diaz