SW News: Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic in the Philippines, a group of Jesuit priests took it upon themselves to prepare meals for doctors, nurses, and Covid-19 patients at one of the biggest hospitals in the country. Fr. Marlito Ocon and his fellow Jesuit brothers, on September 26, started preparing meals for staff members and patients at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila, having 1500 beds and 4000 staff. The priests are chaplains at the hospital and they offer the sacraments to the sick and dying. Many of the patients admitted at the hospital are infected with Covid-19.
Fr. Ocon began this initiative at the hospital after sharing a story of a construction worker on his Facebook page. As usual, when the priest was making his rounds at the hospital, he noticed a particular patient, a construction worker, who was very lean and could barely breathe, eat or even move. He was trying to open a packet of biscuits given by his daughter. It was the only thing she could afford to get him. He could finally open the pack after tearing it with his teeth. Soon after the story was posted on social media, generous Catholics came forward to help Fr. Ocon and the Jesuits feed the hundreds and thousands of patients in the hospital. Fr. Ocon also said that he was receiving hundreds of messages promising donations from simple daily wage workers. He was surprised at the enthusiasm shown by ordinary people as they donated all they could for the health workers and patients at the hospital. The Jesuits pooled together all the money they received as donations and started a soup kitchen in the hospital.
Fr. Ocon pointed out his disappointment at the lack of responsibility from the government’s side. He also specifically referred to their mismanagement of the US$1.3 billion funds. The government has also been under pressure for not giving health care workers their promised benefits and Covid-19 risk allowances. Fr. Ocon further noted that “While our rich politicians and other government officials are busy investigating and denying how they are taking away taxpayers’ money, these simple poor people shared what little money have.”