𝐇𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐈 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐤𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬
Through community outreach under its COMMUNEKTA Initiatives, the Department of Student Affairs and Services (DSAS) of Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) conducted "Bridges of Love that Feed and Heal" on June 18, 2026, at the Barangay Gym in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City. The outreach brought together HCCCI administrators, employees, and partner organizations to provide humanitarian assistance to families temporarily sheltered at the evacuation center following the recent earthquake that affected General Santos City and Sarangani Province.
The COMMUNEKTA Initiative is HCCCI's community engagement program that bridges opportunities between the institution and the communities it serves through meaningful partnerships, outreach activities, and service-oriented initiatives. Guided by the belief that education extends beyond the classroom, the initiative seeks to respond to community needs by promoting compassion, collaboration, and social responsibility. As part of this commitment, "Bridges of Love that Feeds and Heal" was organized to extend immediate relief to individuals and families displaced by the earthquake. Recognizing the urgent needs of the evacuees, the outreach focused on providing essential supplies that would help ease their daily struggles while offering encouragement and hope during a difficult period.
Leading the outreach was Vanessa Marie Antiquin, Executive Vice President, together with Lea Arriego, Kathleen Gantalao, Ezel Sumulong, Hilary Joy Baconua, and Charmaine Escaniel from the Finance and Registrar Office; Judith Dacutanan from the Property Custodian Office; Lea Mae Gerao from the Department of Student Affairs and Services; and the institution's dedicated utility workers. The activity was made possible through the generosity and support of its international partner, the Lions Club of Singapore, as well as its local partners, Rell and Renn, Gensan Feedmill, Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc., and Classify Inc., whose contributions helped provide much-needed relief to the evacuees.
During the activity, volunteers distributed food packs, bottled drinking water, and clothing to families staying at the evacuation center. These relief goods helped address the immediate needs of the evacuees while providing comfort and reassurance during a challenging time. The collaborative efforts of HCCCI personnel and its partners demonstrated how compassion and coordinated action can bring hope to those recovering from the effects of a natural disaster.
The initiative supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty, by assisting families facing crisis; SDG 2: Zero Hunger, through the distribution of food packs; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by providing clean drinking water and promoting the welfare of displaced individuals; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by strengthening collaboration among educational institutions, civic organizations, and private sector partners in delivering humanitarian assistance.
Beyond providing essential relief goods, the outreach fostered a stronger sense of compassion, volunteerism, and shared responsibility among everyone involved. It demonstrated how educational institutions can extend their role beyond academic instruction by responding to emergencies, building meaningful partnerships, and creating opportunities for individuals and organizations to work together in uplifting communities during times of need. Through the COMMUNEKTA Initiatives, HCCCI continues to connect people, resources, and opportunities that contribute to lasting social impact.
For the volunteers and partner organizations, the outreach was a meaningful reminder that acts of kindness can make a significant difference during times of crisis. Witnessing the gratitude and resilience of the evacuees reinforced their commitment to serving others and inspired them to continue extending help whenever communities are faced with adversity.
Through initiatives such as "Bridges of Love that Feed and Heal" under the COMMUNEKTA Initiatives, Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. continues to strengthen its commitment to humanitarian service and community engagement. By bridging opportunities between the institution and the communities it serves, HCCCI remains a steadfast advocate of compassion, collaboration, and social responsibility, empowering communities to recover with dignity, resilience, and hope.