MANILA -- A fraternity in the University of the Philippines Los Baños shifted its annual community outreach program "Operation Big Brother" to give aid to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) frontliners and students.

Rupert Ambil of the Beta Sigma Fraternity said in a statement that they are responding to the virus outbreak to live up to their ideals of service to communities like what they do under the Operation Big Brother program during disasters, Christmas, and medical missions.

"Now, we respond to the crisis by bringing together our brothers in serving the stranded students, UP personnel and staff frontliners, and the frontliners in public and private hospitals in Laguna," he said.

Ambil said that through cash and in-kind donations they were able to produce 1,633 face shields which were donated to 19 hospitals, health centers, police and military.

The fraternity also gave 510 personal protective equipment (PPE) suits to 16 hospitals in Laguna.

They also supported stranded students of UPLB for giving cash aid donation to the university's housing authority.

Food aid and surgical masks were also distributed to frontliners and students, Ambil said.

He added that the fraternity will be working with other organization in order to address concerns during the pandemic.

"Kami po ay nandito para tulungan ang mga bayani sa bayanihan.”