SANTIAGO CITY – The University of La Salette Inc. (ULS) conducted its annual Alay sa Belen Institutional Christmas Activity in Nabbuan and at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Batal, Santiago City, on December 21, as part of its Christmas outreach program.
The annual outreach program aimed to extend assistance and share the spirit of Christmas with the university’s partner barangay, which were carefully identified and surveyed prior to the activity to ensure that assistance was responsive to their needs.
“As extension coordinator, repeated volunteer involvement and community feedback mechanisms reinforce long-term partnerships, aligning with institutional values of solidarity and excellence for enduring community empowerment,” said Dominick Domingo, the Community Extension Coordinator of ULS.
Residents of Nabbuan were among the beneficiaries where three stations were simultaneously organized – Main and New Barangay Covered Court and Nabbuan Integrated School Grounds, where families and children received Christmas gift packs.
Persons deprived of liberty (PDL) under the care of the BJMP-Batal also benefited from the university’s outreach initiative, receiving gift packs and a message of hope, ensuring that inclusivity is part of the institution’s community service approach.
“Gusto ko pong pasalamatan ang aking mga ate at kuya sa regalo na kanilang ibinigay sa amin ngayong araw,” said Prince, a six-year old kid and a kinder student of NIS.
Legal aid and notarial services were also offered to the community through the initiative of Dean Jose Romeo Dela Cruz and College of Law students, who volunteered their time and expertise to provide free legal assistance during the activity.
The donations given to the community were collectively drawn from the generous contributions of students, alumni, employees, and La Salette Missionaries, while a portion of the proceeds came from the Paskuhan celebration held on December 4-5.
Students from the Student Executive Council (SEC) along with Non-teaching Personnels (NTP) actively participated in the repacking and preparation of gift packs, ensuring that the donations were organized and ready for distribution.
“Student involvement is important in institutional outreach programs like Alay sa Belen because it helps students apply what they learn in school to real-life situations,” said Precious Appel I. Coma, the Student Executive Council President.
“Through active participation, students develop social responsibility, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the needs of marginalized communities,” she added.
The distribution of gift packs were made possible through the collaborative effort of all local council officers from each academic department and Salettenian Volunteer Association (SVA), who served as facilitators and on-ground volunteers during the event.
Administrative staff of the institution, together with the University of La Salette Employees Association (ULSEA), were also present in the program to support logistics and crowd control, ensuring the smooth conduct of the outreach activity.
A solemn mass was held in every station after the distribution of donations led by the priests from St. Francis of Assisi Parish in coordination with the ULS Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Christian Joseph M. Pilotin, MS, MA.
The annual Alay sa Belen activity reflects the university’s commitment to social responsibility and community service.
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