CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — A total of 3,000 individuals from three barangays—Lapasan, Barangay 31, and Barangay 35—received five kilos of rice and grocery items from Limketkai Center through the “Bless the Community: A Gift-Giving” event on July 1.
“Dako akong pasalamat kay sa panahon karon lisod na kaayo ipalit, og bugas bisag isa ka kilo, kay bisag duot mutrabho ang isa ka pamilya, maglisod pa gali,” said Judith Quilantang, a beneficiary from Barangay 35. She said the assistance is a blessing regardless of its size, and they are grateful.
(I am very grateful because it is extremely difficult to buy even one kilo of rice these days, even if a family works hard.)
Barangay 35 Kagawad Troadio Garcia, Jr., expressed appreciation for the homegrown mall’s foundation-initiated gift-giving activity, citing its ability to address the needs of their constituents during challenging times.
“Dako kaayo ang amoang pasalamat sa ayuda na gihatag sa Limketkai sa amoang mga constituents sa Barangay 35; kay sa kapobrehon ug kalisod karon na nasinati sa katawahan isa sila nakatabang pinaagi aning ayuda na ilahang gihatag,” Garcia said.
(We are deeply appreciative of Limketkai’s assistance to our residents in Barangay 35; given the current state of poverty and hardship in the community, their aid has proven invaluable.)
He also prayed that those who have experienced many blessings in life would feel compelled to help communities in need, much like this activity.
Extending its blessings to the community
Jerome de la Fuente, head of the Limketkai Foundation and general manager of the Limketkai Luxe Hotel, explained that the gift-giving activity began with providing assistance to street kids in Barangay Lapasan, an effort he initiated himself and later expanded to the broader community. The third generation of the Limketkai family spearheaded this expansion.
Recognizing the difficulties faced by Kagay-anons during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Limketkai, a homegrown company, wanted to give back to the community that has supported them since their establishment.
“The grandfather wanted to share what we have, which is why we have this activity. We partnered with certain companies under the Limketkai Group of Companies for the donations, and we also partnered with associations such as Victory and CCF to have this activity,” de la Fuente said.
With the success of the gift-giving activity, the Limketkai Foundation, having turned into a reality, will continue sharing its blessings with various barangays in the city. De la Fuente further stated that every company activity will allocate a specific portion to the barangays they designate as beneficiaries. A fundraising event is also expected to be held in January next year to further fund the foundation’s gift-giving activities.
The Limketkai Foundation assures Kagay-anons that they will continue to extend assistance to various barangays in Cagayan de Oro, particularly to those who are less fortunate, as a token of gratitude for the community’s enduring support. (JAKA/PIA-10)
