Bela Padilla raises P3.3M for street vendors affected by community quarantine

Bela Padilla initially only wanted to raise one million pesos to help Metro Manila street vendors affected by the community quarantine.

But in less than three days, the actress was able to raise over 3.3 million pesos.

On Twitter Wednesday, the actress announced the good news and shared, "I was just woken up by a call. Somebody donated 2 million pesos. We are now at 3.3M pesos."

I was just woken up by a call. Somebody donated 2 million pesos. We are now at 3.3M pesos. ??????????????????????????????

— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) March 18, 2020

With the amount of funding she was able to receive, Padilla plans to divide the money in 16 ways for the 16 cities in Metro Manila.

The best solution I came up with is for us to donate. I set up an account, and whatever money we do raise, let’s spilt 16 ways for the 16 cities of metro Manila affected by this community quarantine. I will personally see to it that the money we raise will go to the right people.

— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) March 15, 2020

On Sunday evening, the actress launched the "Pagkain Para sa Pinoy" online fundraising project after she expressed her concern over the Filipino citizens such as "our favorite taho, dirty ice cream and bananacue vendors" who won't be able to "secure enough money to guarantee food for their families at the end of the day" during the month-long lockdown.

And like the sincere do-gooder, she kept her Twitter followers informed of the progress of her crowdfunding project along the way — glitches included.

WE RAISED NEARLY 1.4M PESOS. FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF AND GIVE YOURSELF A HIGH FIVE IN THE MIRROR! IM PROUD OF ALL OF US ??????????????

— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) March 17, 2020

?????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/9mSUUq7iNZ

— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) March 17, 2020

Hello! To everyone interested in donating, let’s resume tomorrow morning. There seems to be a glitch on the website and I want you to see your donations in real time. Sorry for the technical problem I’ve already contacted @GoGetFunding ?????????????????????????????? massive THANK YOU to you all??

— Bela Padilla (@padillabela) March 16, 2020

In a televised address from Malacanang, President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Monday that there will be a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine until April 13 to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

Under this condition, strict home quarantine will be implemented in all households, transportation will be suspended and provision for food and essential health services will be regulated.

In the Philippines, a total of 193 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded, according to the Department of Health on Wednesday.