MANILA, Philippines—The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac, Ilocos Norte is doing its part in the fight against the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic by handing out essential items and cash aid to frontliners and students stranded in dormitories due to the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). The MMSU on Wednesday gave P500 each to 114 students for a total of P57,000. The amount should last the students for a week as the university awaits its suppliers to restock goods, the MMSU said in a release on the same day. Several colleges in the said university and an alumni group have also launched a fundraising drive for students and frontliners. The MMSU also extended its helping hand outside of its borders by providing face masks and “Nipahol,” alcohol made from Nipa sap, to frontliners in Laoag City and several other local government units in the region.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 09, 2020 05:03 UTC