Pay it forward: Butuan health centers receive medicine donations from public school alumni
By Niña Jonalyn Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — An estimated P200,000 worth of medicines and medical supplies were generously donated to four barangay health centers in Butuan City on July 18 from Kindness Collective ’95 — a non-government organization (NGO).
The donations included over-the-counter medicines, antibiotics, vitamins, first-aid supplies, and prescriptive medicines for common non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, which are among the leading causes of mortality in the city and the entire country, as well.
The beneficiaries were identified as four of the major health centers in the city based on population, geographical coverage, accessibility to communities, and service capacity. These health centers are the Ampayon Super Health Center, Bilay Main Health Center, Libertad Primary Care Facility, and the Obrero Health Center.
In an interview with Kindness Collective ‘95’s public relations officer and currently a public school principal herself, Carolyn Mayuga explained the reason behind this noble initiative.
“Our group identified healthcare to be one of the most pressing issues faced by us, Filipinos and Butuanons, especially for those who could not afford to buy medicines. We are hopeful that through these donations, we will be able to contribute in ensuring the continuous supply of medicines in these health centers and promote equitable health service delivery to the communities which would consequently result in better health outcomes for the residents,” Mayuga said.
Kindness Collective ’95 was just formed in May this year. The foundation’s purpose, as stated in their official Facebook page, aims to “extend financial support to low income individuals who require immediate financial assistance for medical emergencies and hospital treatment.”
Earl G. Maquiling, an overseas Filipino worker and founder of Kindness Collective ’95 shared how their organization came about.
“After graduating in Butuan, I moved to Manila and worked at the Philippine Tourism Authority, renting a small room with a single mother who was a janitress at the Philippine General Hospital at the time. I later became a medical representative and supported another neighbor’s family after their livelihood was lost. While in Butuan, I witnessed firsthand how people were unable to afford the medicines that they urgently need,” Maquiling recalled.
“As I moved to the UK, I still continued with my cause, until a friend once urged me to start a charity, and after recent health scares—and a wave of gratitude—I embraced the idea. Thus, the Kindness Collective ’95 was born, marking my shift from quiet compassion to broader impact,” he added, with a sense of fulfillment in his heart.
The Kindness Collective ’95 is composed of nine alumni of the Agusan National High School in Butuan City as their way of paying it forward as they themselves were once beneficiaries of the government’s free basic education three decades ago.
It is set to continue their advocacy in partnership with stakeholders from both public and private sectors. This initiative exemplifies the cyclical nature of generosity—where acts of kindness received in the past inspire individuals to extend the same compassion to others today. (NJGD/PIA Caraga)