06/09/2026
“Generosity, I’m here to show all that I can do!” -Rarity
Charitable efforts grew out of religious beliefs — stemming from the teaching of compassion and camaraderie within the community - to reach out to the poor and help alleviate their conditions. In recent years, we have seen charity branch out of these religious institutions into non-government agencies and acts of philanthropy.
Thus, in 2012, the United Nations General Assembly declared September 5 as the International Day of Charities, to commemorate and acknowledge the efforts of these groups and institutions in alleviating the quality of life of marginalized communities. According to the United Nations (n.d.), the role of charity has evolved throughout the years. It has become a supplementary tool for a country to fill critical gaps that the government cannot.
With the rise of the Internet and social media, it has helped surpass geographical limitations in extending help to those in need. And with philanthropists and non-government organizations helping reach people in need, they have become partners in community development and in achieving our sustainable development goals.
But charity that does not stem from genuine generosity and compassion may do more harm than good. Thus, the United Nations reiterated that charity should be community-driven, transparent, and grounded in humility. The people we are helping should not be reduced to “content.” They are people — living and feeling people. Thus, they must be treated with utmost respect and grounded in humility.
With this, we, the UPLB Human and Family Development Society, shall continue our efforts in extending our hand and grounding ourselves in Filipino families and communities through our advocacies and activities that promote human development. Additionally, we urge the government to be more rigorous in uplifting the Filipinos' quality of life; charity should serve as a supplement to an already established system, not the system itself. Because the most charitable act the Filipinos should receive is to be provided the capacity and capability to uplift themselves.
