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INC gives Aid to Humanity worldwide amid pandemic

By ANTONIO G. CAÑAVERAL JR. and MARK ANDRO T. MILAN

Amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ), through its humanitarian arm, the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Inc., continues to conduct Lingap sa Mamamayan or Aid to Humanity in different places around the world. It also holds INC Giving events, where Church members exemplify their faith through acts of kindness like community service projects, as well as the Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko (My Countrymen, My Brethren), which highlights the sharing of God’s words through evangelical missions vis-à-vis with the outreach initiatives.

The Church has been distributing relief and care packages to those who are in need long before the pandemic. This project continues in various locations to help the general public, as through this endeavor, face masks, face shields, and other medical supplies were given for free to lessen the risk of contracting Covid-19. The Church has also established eco-farming sites to help create livelihood opportunities for members and nonmembers alike.

Philippines
On January 5, 2020, before the pandemic, the Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko was relaunched at the Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria complex in Bocaue, Bulacan with more than 65,000 attendees from various ecclesiastical districts―six in Metro Manila, three in Bulacan, and Pampanga. It was held simultaneously with Aid to Humanity events in more than 500 venues in 156 countries worldwide.

Relaunching of Kabayan Ko, Kapatid Ko (My Countrymen, My Brethren) at the Philippine Arena,
Bocaue, Bulacan, on January 5, 2020.

Just a day after the Taal Volcano in Batangas erupted, the Church Of Christ immediately conducted a Lingap sa Mamamayan activity on January 12, 2020, at the compound of the Local Congregation of Lemery, Ecclesiastical District of Batangas to help those severely affected by the calamity there and nearby province, Cavite. Another relief operation for calamity victims was again conducted there on January 16, 2020.

Aid to Humanity activity at the Lemery Congregation’s house of worship compound,
Batangas Ecclesiastical District on January 12, 2020.
INC relief operations continue on January 16 for Batangas and Cavite residents
afflicted by Taal Volcano eruption.

As Covid-19 started to spread the world over, the Church Of Christ, through the leadership of the Church’s Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, immediately responded by allowing certain Church properties to be used as quarantine and testing facilities for Covid-19 patients. In April 2020, the Church Administration showed support to the Philippine government by allowing the entire Ciudad de Victoria complex to be used as medical station for Covid-19 patients. A total of 1,065 estimated rooms for patients and 476 rooms for frontliners was built inside the complex by the Church Of Christ with help from the national government, Villar Group of Companies, MVP Group of Companies, North Luzon Expressway, PLDT/SMART Communications, Maynilad Water Services, and Manila Electric Company.

The Church Administration voluntarily offers to the Philippine government the entire Ciudad de Victoria Estate in Bocaue, Bulacan being used as quarantine facility for Covid-19 patients since April 2020.

On April 6, 2020, the Church donated millions of pesos worth of medical supplies to various hospitals in Quezon City. The donation included thermal scanners, personal protective equipment sets, folding beds, vitamins, disinfectants, among others.

The Church donates personal protective equipment and medical supplies to hospitals in Quezon City, Philippines on April 6, 2020.

On March 21, 2020, the Quezon City government, through Mayor Joy Belmonte, received Php 5,000,000 as monetary donation from the Church’s Executive Minister to assist the city government’s initiative to help the urban poor and fight the Covid-19 virus.

QC Mayor Belmonte receives monetary donation worth Php 5 million from INC Central Office
on March 21, 2020 for the assistance to QC government’s initiative to help the urban poor
and to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Church donates 3,000 sacks of rice and 1,000 personal protective equipment (PPE)
to the City of Manila through Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso.

As the pandemic continues throughout the year, the Church also continues to conduct Aid to Humanity events almost every month in various ecclesiastical districts.

Brethren from the Local Congregations of Tubigon, Dimiao, and Talibon, Ecclesiastical District of Bohol receive relief goods on June 27 and 28, 2020.

On October 30 and 31, 2020, the Church held a simultaneous Lingap sa Mamamayan in various venues around the world in commemoration of the birthday of Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.

Aid to Humanity event on October 31 in Zamboanga del Norte.

On November 13, 2020, brethren from the Local Congregation of Valenzuela, Ecclesiastical District of CAMANAVA extended aid to those affected by typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco).

Lingap sa Mamamayan in Valenzuela, Metro Manila, Philippines to aid those affected by typhoon Ulysses

The Church extended help even to various religious organizations. Mr. Yitzhak Pascual Monzanto of the St. Francis of Assisi Mission Church in Pinugay, Baras, Rizal sought the help of the Church Administration for an aid. On December 5, 2020, the Church immediately responded to their request and gave more than what they had asked. Mr. Monzanto remarked on the Executive Minister’s benevolent act, “We’re happy that he opened his arms to us.” On behalf of their archdiocese, he added, “I would like to express our deep gratitude for this unexpected assistance … show[ing] love for our fellowmen, not because of religion but of intention to help one another.”

The St. Francis of Assisi Mission Church in Pinugay, Baras, Rizal benefited from the Lingap
sa Mamamayan on December 5, 2020.

US and Canada
On May 9 and 10, a total of 525 people from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area received a donation of essential goods from the Church. Commemorating the Church’s 106th anniversary, through the INC Giving event, 5,000 reusable and washable face masks and other care packages were distributed to people around the area on July 22 to 27. These donations were channeled to public schools, nursing homes, and elderly facilities, including the United States Postal Services (USPS) office in Fort Washington, Maryland, benefiting at least 688 recipients.

Volunteers launch the day’s deliveries from the INC house of worship in Temple Hills, Maryland.

On August 12 to 16, the Church Of Christ distributed 3,000 face masks and 680 care packages filled with groceries, hand sanitizers, and paper towels, in the DMV region (Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia).

Care packages to the healthcare facilities include much-needed reusable face masks, toilet paper,
and individual care packages such as canned goods and other basic food necessities.

On August 19, 2020, the Church helped indigenous communities in the Berens River Watershed. Clothes for all ages and toys for children were donated to the communities of Poplar Hill First Nation, Ontario and Little Grand Rapids, Manitoba.

Aside from this, Church members from Winnipeg also prepared care packages for the Berens River Watershed communities of Pikangikum, Ontario and Pauingassi, Manitoba.

Church Of Christ volunteers in Winnipeg prepare goods and clothing to be sent to different fly-in communities during Aid to Humanity events in Canada.

On September 8 and 9, over 10,000 face masks were donated to a dozen select schools in the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, namely the Andrew Mynarski VC School, Ecole Leila North Community School, Greenway School, Sargent Park School, and St. John’s High School (Manitoba Province); Carlton Comprehensive, Hope’s Home Child Care, Humboldt Public, O.M. Irwin School, Pleasant Hill Community School, Winston Churchill School, and W.P. Bate Community School (Saskatchewan Province) and the Wainwright School in Alberta.

Southern Canada INC Giving Project donates over 10,000 face masks on September 8 and 9.

In Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada, the Church provided in October several hundred care packages, which included basic food necessities, face masks, face shields, school supplies, and personal hygiene items, to more than 200 members of the Soowahlie First Nation.

INC members from the Hampton Roads Region and North Carolina joined the Aid to Humanity event in Norfolk, Virginia on October 31. They gave out care packages that included groceries and other essential products. The event, held at the Military Circle Mall parking area, benefited at least 500 community members. Licensed medical professionals were also onsite to administer free flu vaccinations via drive-thru.

Over 500 people receive free flu shots and care packages through INC Aid to Humanity
in Norfolk, Virginia on October 31, 2020.

Through the INC’s Aid to Humanity outreach program, volunteers prepared and then delivered on October 31, 2020 a total of 1,000 care packages for the residents of Astoria Houses in Queens, New York. The care packages consisted of canned goods, face masks, gloves, and hand sanitizers.

INC’s Aid to Humanity outreach program on October 31, 2020 at Astoria Houses in Queens, New York.
Aid to Humanity in the Hawaiian Islands of Kauai, Maui, and Big Island on October 31, 2020

On the last week of October 2020, INC members in Connecticut prepared 1,000 care packages which included essential goods and toiletries. The care packages were delivered to the Department of Rehabilitation Services in Windsor, Connecticut, and entrusted to Commissioner Amy Porter of the Department of Aging and Disability Services.

Department of Rehabilitation Services in Windsor, Connecticut receive 1,000 care packages, which included essential goods and toiletries, from the Church Of Christ on the last week of October 2020.

Africa
In response to the pandemic crisis reaching Africa, the Ecclesiastical Districts of Northern and Southern Africa joined the Church’s Aid to Humanity missions, reaching out to Kenya and Uganda in June 2020, and distributing 1,000 food packs in Lusaka, Zambia including the Little Angel Orphanage on April 17, 2020, respectively.

Brethren from the Local Congregation of Qwaqwa, South Africa, Ecclesiastical District
of Southern Africa gives aid in May 2020.

All for God’s glory
“What the Bible says, which is to help our fellowmen, is truly timely. That is why the Church Of Christ, from the beginning, has had two guiding rules. To serve God and to help our fellow man. This is the foundation of the Church Of Christ,” said Brother Glicerio B. Santos Jr., Church’s General Auditor.

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The official website of Pasugo: God’s Message magazine of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ), contains religious articles, Church news, and photos