TWO professors of the Palawan State University were recognized by the National Economic and Development Authority in Mimaropa for their volunteer work during the pandemic.

The NEDA launched the Regional Search for Outstanding Covid19 Volunteer along with the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency.

Professor Melissa Grace Olit, founder of Chef Aiza’s Community Kitchen, was named Outstanding Covid19 Volunteer.

“Olit personally funded the Community Kitchen by dipping into her savings which was supposedly for the start-up capital for her coffee shop. It produced around 200 to 1,250 packed meals on a daily basis,” PSU said.

The packed meals were distributed in hospitals and checkpoints and were also given to homeless and stranded individuals.

The community kitchen reached 41 barangays in Puerto Princesa City.

Meanwhile, Professor Silvany Delight Gastanes received a special citation for her invaluable service in the region’s response to Covid19 pandemic and in promoting volunteerism.

“Gastanes is a college professor and a reservist who made improvised face shields for medical employees and frontliners and conducted feeding program and handwashing lecture that benefitted 258 children in Palawan,” PSU said.