Ladlad party-list spearheaded a meaningful donation drive and gift-giving event for PELPS (Positive Elders Philippines, Inc.) and PAFPI (Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Inc.), hosted at the #PAFPICares Community Center.
MANILA, Philippines — Championing inclusive social welfare, the Ladlad party-list spearheaded a targeted gift-giving and community outreach initiative for the beneficiaries of Positive Elders Philippines, Inc. (PELPS) and the Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PAFPI). Held at the PAFPI Cares Community Center in Manila on June 29, 2024, the collaborative event served as a major highlight of the organization’s Pride Month advocacy, providing vital material relief and psychosocial support to vulnerable LGBTQ+ elderly individuals and people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the country.
Mobilizing CSR Resources for PLHIV Support Philippines.
The donation drive mobilized critical resources, including essential food items, toiletries, and financial contributions pooled from grassroots supporters and corporate social responsibility (CSR) partners. A major contributor to the campaign was Sagility Health BPO. Through its Sagility Iloilo Bayanihan-BayaniRun Fund Run, the healthcare BPO company turned over a ₱50,000.00 gift certificate to fund medical materials, nutritional goods, and institutional resources for the temporary residents sheltered at the PAFPI Drop-in Center.
Addressing the Intersecting Gaps in LGBTQ+ Elderly Care.
According to organizers, the outreach operates under the umbrella of the #TabangLadladProject, the specialized humanitarian arm of the Ladlad party-list. The project is designed to conduct routine interventions in urban areas with dense populations of aging LGBTQ+ citizens. Sociological data shows that the LGBTQ+ elderly sector faces intersecting vulnerabilities, including severe social isolation, systemic discrimination, and systemic barriers to healthcare access. Recognizing these gaps, the project deployed specialized sanitary kits and food packs to elderly PELPS members alongside PAFPI’s resident clients.
Fostering Health Equity and Private Sector Inclusivity.
The event drew key stakeholders from the advocacy sector, including PAFPI President Emil Garcia, who delivered the opening remarks, PAFPI Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman Ferdi Granil, and PELP Vice-President Bobby Ruiz. Keynote addresses were delivered by Ladlad party-list leader Adelo Macaldo alongside corporate executives. Highlighting the private sector’s role in health equity, Ms. Dai Canlas, Human Resources Manager of Sagility Health Iloilo, emphasized the importance of workplace diversity. “HIV is not the end of life,” Canlas stated. “Those living with HIV must be integrated as active partners in prevention and treatment drives. Sagility Health BPO remains fiercely committed to fostering an inclusive work environment, especially for PLHIV.”
The successful joint operation by the Ladlad party-list and Sagility Health underscores the measurable impact of strategic public-private alliances in addressing public health crises and minority welfare. Moving forward, both entities aim to institutionalize these outreach programs to establish sustainable safety nets for marginalized Filipino communities and inspire broader corporate participation in civic advocacy.
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