Bela Padilla starts online fundraiser for street vendors affected by COVID-19 pandemic

March 17 ------ Count Bela Padilla among the celebrities who have lent a hand to those who have been affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the country. On Sunday, March 15, the "Miracle In Cell No. 7" star launched an online fundraiser to aid small-time vendors whose businesses are affected by the community quarantine measure the government ordered to be put in place in its fight to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

"How do the taho, sampaguita, chips and basahan vendors we see on EDSA who probably sold close to nothing today eat tonight? And tomorrow? And the whole month?" Bela said in a Twitter post. "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 split 16 ways for the 16 cities of metro Manila affected by this community quarantine," she added. The 28-year-old Bela assured fans that she will personally see to it that the money raised will go to the right people, as she encouraged them to support and forward the cause.

"During this inevitable pandemic, there will be a lot of Filipinos who won't be able to rely on their normal sources of income. Our favorite taho, dirty ice cream and bananacue vendors won't be able to secure enough money to guarantee food for their families at the end of the day for one month until our community quarantine is over," she said in her fundraising campaign.

"Please help and share this link and let’s try to hit or surpass the target in one week because our local workers have all already been affected starting today. Thank you. Twitter, let your magic work please," she added. Bela said that as much as she would love to set up an outreach program or do house-to-house donations, such goes "against the idea of less contact and stopping the virus from spreading further." Bela said that as much as she would love to set up an outreach program or do house-to-house donations, such goes "against the idea of less contact and stopping the virus from spreading further."

Source: push.abs-cbn.com