There are many ways a person can lend a helping hand in difficult times. Organize, volunteer, donate. Several communities in Metro Manila work together to help their respective frontline workers who make life in quarantine much easier.
Security guards, receptionists, janitors, housekeepers, and maintenance personnel continue to provide basic services despite the current disruption across SM Development Corporation (SMDC) communities.
“If not for them we wouldn’t be able to keep the peace and cleanliness of our building, so it’s very important to take care of them,” says Aileen Reyes, a resident of Shine Residences in Pasig.
Mike Pastor, an FMCG executive and father of two who resides at Light Residences in Mandaluyong, shares, “We are lucky here in SMDC because a grocery and a pharmacy are found right on the ground floor. I am sure many of us want to help in any way we can but accessing basic goods and services might be a challenge. I am glad these retail spaces are found within my home.”
SMDC shares five ways residents can do to give back to the backbone of their communities:
Share a meal
Purchase healthy produce and other essentials for the “community frontliners.” Those who can’t afford to give multiple food packs may prepare an extra helping of their dishes to share with their frontliners.
Support donation drives
Support or organize a donation drive in the community wherein neighbors can pitch in for grocery items, vitamins, and personal protective equipment to be given to security guards, receptionists, and maintenance personnel.
Keep them protected
Because they man the frontlines, they are exposed to more people and waste. Be a responsible resident and consciously keep distance from them and practice proper waste disposal. SMDC encourages residents to place their used gloves and face masks in sealed plastic containers before immediately disposing of them. Call the attention of neighbors who do unsanitary practices.
Express gratitude
A simple note of thanks, a “thank you” greeting, a salute, a clap are some of the many free things one can do to make frontline workers feel valued. “They may not mean much to you, but these thoughtful gestures of gratitude provide inspiration to keep them going,” said SMDC.
Follow the community’s safety protocols
Following safety protocols ensures everyone’s safety. Capt. Kim Cortes, a commercial pilot and a resident of Breeze Residences in Roxas Boulevard, puts it simply, “Whether you’re a unit owner or a service provider, we’re all in this together and we need to care for each other.”