Several areas severely affected by super typhoons Rolly and Ulysses in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V and NCR were promptly assisted by MDFI with much-needed food items, medicines and hygiene packs. Distribution was a challenge due to floods, but the determination of volunteers to immediately provide the aid saw through the timely distribution of the relief goods. MDFI also supported medical outreaches to the affected areas including the Philippine Medical Association’s medical mission to the Bicol Region with medicines worth more than P5,000,000.

Thirty-nine pharmacy students were awarded full scholarships for the academic year 2020-2021. All on their third year of study, the grantees are enrolled in various schools across the country, including Angeles University Foundation, Centro Escolar University Malolos, Centro Escolar University Makati, Centro Escolar University Manila, De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Our Lady of Fatima University Valenzuela, Southwestern University, Universidad de Zamboanga, University of Immaculate Conception, University of Makati and University of Perpetual Help-Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical University. The scholarships cover tuition and miscellaneous school fees and monthly allowances for food and transportation.

In support of the Department of Health’s Sabayang Patak Contra Polio campaign in Regions III and IV-A, MDFI donated 65,000 face marks for the agency’s healthcare workers and volunteers tasked to vaccinate all children, especially the hard-to-reach, in the said regions. The vaccination campaign was conducted amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the fight against Covid-19, MDFI has reached out to various communities, local government units, and healthcare institutions in a massive campaign to assist affected families and healthcare workers. Direct deployment of resources or partnerships with Caritas Manila and Philippine Business for Social Progress have assured that food, hygiene packs, medicines especially vitamin C, and personal protective equipment are provided to those who are most in need.

Sitio Sampaloc in Brgy. Tandang Kutyo, Tanay Rizal, officially receives a potable water system through MDFI's Operation Pa-Tubig program during the turnover ceremony today. The Level 2 potable water system, which includes a water reservoir and 15 tap stands, will provide clean and safe water for at least 150 households who have had no access to clean safe water for more than 50 years. The only access was a spring, located around one kilometer away on a hilly terrain. With the installation, the time spent and burden in fetching water from the spring will be eliminated, easing up the lives of the residents. MDFI is assisted by partners Philippine Business for Social Progress and the local government unit of Tanay Rizal in the implementation of the program.

MDFI turns over today a potable water system to Brgy. Pakiing, Mulanay, Quezon, through its Operation Pa-Tubig program with the help of Philippine Business for Social Progress. Around 300 households will benefit from the program which will extend to the nearby Pakiing Elementary School, benefiting 300 students as well, through the support and commitment of the barangay and local government officials. An organized community water association will manage the water system to ensure its sustainability.

In its continuing advocacy to raise awareness about non-communicable diseases (NCD), MDFI levelled up with a fun run at the parking area of the Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna in the early morning hours of Saturday, 30 November. With close to 3,000 registrants, the NCD-awareness activity engaged the participants in 3K- and 6K-runs after a rousing stretching exercise led by Michael David (courtesy of Citibank), who also got the participants to cool down with a series of Zumba moves after the run.

Health treats and services promoting NCD prevention and management awaited the runners compliments of MDFI partners (ATC Healthcare, Bayer Consumer., BellKenz Pharma, Bevi Beauty Elements, Colgate Palmolive, Emibil International, Froneri, Galderma, Getz Bros., Gold River Management, GX International, Health Wellness Lifestyle, Hisamitsu, IMDS Supply Chain Solutions, Inova Pharmaceuticals, IPI, Johnson & Johnson, Leo Pharma, Manila Nature's Link, Macropharma, Maryland Distributors, McGraw Pharma, Metrodrug, MundiPharma, Mylan, Nestle, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Pascual Consumer Healthcare, Philusa, Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser, Remed Pharmaceuticals, Ritemed, San Miguel Purefoods, Sanofi Aventis, Symply G, Splash, Terramedic, Unilever, Vida Nutriscience, and Zuellig Pharma). In addition, participants and their companions got 20% discounts on Enchanted Kingdom for the day and Citibank gave out P100 Mercury Drug Gift Certificates for every sign-up of a Mercury Drug Citi Card. The enthusiastic and all-out support of MDFI partners made the fun run a success.

MDFI’s Sagip Talento program honoured 17 gifted children and youth in support of the Philippine Center for Gifted Education’s (PCGE) biennial search for Mga Bagong Rizal – Pag-asa ng Bayan.

This year’s awardees include Danielle Ajoc, Shekinah Espina, John Estillore of Agusan del Norte; Abigail Bagabaldo of Quezon City; Ian Casapao of Batangas; Kizziah Claveria of Pangasinan; Suwaidi Ebrahim of Maguindanao; Emmanuel Enriquez of Bataan; Mark Fernandez of Isabela; Robert Leung of Baguio City; Icyl Lucero of Sultan Kudarat; Michael Morales of Albay; Marybeth Sato of Cebu; Adrian Serapio of San Juan City; Euclid Soringa of Surigao del Norte; Sophia Tunguia of Iloilo City; and Rochelle Valdez of Bulacan.

By giving them recognition, MDFI hopes to motivate them to serve the country as they pledge to follow in the footsteps of our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, in espousing his principles of love for God, love for country, integrity, valor, and excellence in creating impact in their respective fields.

A two-day leadership seminar preceded the awarding ceremony.