Ten medical beds and items of furniture worth P118,000 were donated to the OB-Gyne Ward of the Ospital ng Palawan (ONP) by the JCI Puerto Princesa Peacock, Inc. (Peacock Jaycees) to help provide care for women during pregnancy, childbirth, and for newborn infants under its “Ina.Ruga” flagship project.
The donation was made by the Peacock Jaycees in partnership with SMJ Pawnshop on April 11, the fifth day of the JCI Week celebration in Puerto Princesa City and the province of Palawan.
Peacock Jaycees president Maria Claribelle “Mabelle” Castro said the donation will not also be possible without the support of their patrons and donors such as Go Beyond Remittance Company, Mister Donut, Shell KMC Petroleum Station, Ka Inato, Shakeys, New CBPP Palawan Enterprises, and Palawan Pawnshop.
Castro said Ina.Ruga, which means “caring for mothers”, came about because Puerto Princesa City has a high maternal mortality rate.
“Back then, we go around different barangays to teach pregnant women about post-natal care, newborn care, and family planning with Roots of Health or Ugat ng Kalusugan. We also included checkups for pregnant mothers. This year, we went directly where the pregnant women area and went to ONP. Upon consultations with them, the need really is in the beds. Sa sobrang dami ng patients na dumadating, mga kababaihan na buntis at nanganganak, hindi talaga kaya and that’s where Ina.Ruga decided to help,” she said.
She said the Peacock Jaycees, SMJ Pawnshop, and the other partners believe that the hospital beds will provide comfort to women during childbirth and to their infants.
She said part of their project goals is to also help achieve two of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030, which is “ending poverty in all its forms” and “ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”.
“We’re an all-female young professional organization, mga working professionals kami that’s why gusto namin tumulong sa mga kababaihan, lalo na sa mga buntis at manganganak na maging komportable rin ang kalagayan nila sa OB-Gyne Ward ng Ospital ng Palawan. Our only request is that those who will use the hospital beds will somehow pay it forward by also helping others. Doon lang masaya na ang Peacock Jaycees at ang mga sponsors and donors,” Castro said.
During the JCI Week celebration, the Peacock Jaycees also extended support to the inmates at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) on April 9 and hosted a basketball game for them, a mini livelihood training for their waves, and gave school backpacks to their children.
The school bags with complete sets of notebooks, writing pens, and others were donated under the “Bags-to-School”, another flagship project of the Peacock Jaycees for underprivileged children.
“This is also another important project for us to reach out to the children of the inmates so their parents will have fewer worries about spending for their school supplies when classes open again in June. Education is very important, no children should be deprived of it so they can have better futures,” Castro said.
On April 10, the Peacock Jaycees organized too the “Start-Up: A Jobs Fair (Year 2)” at Robinsons Place Palawan, where job seekers, employers, and career advisers met for work or internship opportunities.
Over 170 residents, fresh graduates, and those seeking career advises were served by the jobs fair.
“This is the second year we’re doing this — to contribute in meeting the needs of both employers and potential employees so there’ll be more residents who will become productive to help provide for their families,” said project chair and Peacock Jaycees vice president for internal JC Lestino Dumipig.
Aside from these, the local chapter of the JCI Philippines, Inc. with JCI Puerto Princesa Kiao, Inc. (Kiao Jaycees) launched also on April 12 the “Ang Botanteng Pinoy” campaign for clean, honest, and orderly midterm elections.
The campaign hanged inspirational banners on tricycles and establishments for Palaweños to choose their candidates wisely this May.
On April 13, the Peacock Jaycees highlighted the JCI Week with a “trail run for the environment” at the Magarwak Eco-Park in Barangay Sta. Lourdes under the “Dare to be Green” with Wild Expeditions Palawan, NovTek, and Palawan Runners Club.
The trail run was for 3K, 5K, and 10K run. The event did not allow participants to bring single-use plastics.
