MANILA – As the devastation wrought by Typhoon 'Yolanda' comes to light, Philippines Inc. has set into motion its philanthropic arm, leveraging on its ability not only to provide immediate aid, but also to mobilize more support beyond the boardroom.
In separate statements, corporates such as SM, Citi, Jollibee, Del Monte Pacific and Harbor Star Shipping were among those that have launched relief efforts for the victims of the disaster that left an estimated 10,000 people dead.
The SM group is setting up a P100-million calamity fund for areas affected by the typhoon as well as the recent 7.2-magnitude earthquake, particularly Tacloban, Ormoc, Samar, Bohol, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, and Bicol.
The fund will focus on rebuilding homes, community centers, schools, and churches as well as providing immediate relief through food and supplies.
"SM Foundation is taking the lead in the relief effort with the nationwide reach of SM Cares of the mall group, SM Savemore, and BDO Foundation. Each group has a different expertise in the community support program, and will be working with community groups to expand the efforts and widen the reach of the relief operation," the group said.
“Operation Tulong Express” will be open for donations in SM malls, and an account in both BDO and China Bank will be open to accept cash donations.
Likewise, Citi Foundation has pledged a $250,000 disaster relief grant to the American Red Cross Pacific Typhoon Fund to support relief and recovery efforts in the communities affected by the typhoon.
Citi Philippines has established a special account to raise funds to go to the Philippine Red Cross, a member of the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, to support the relief efforts and long-term rebuilding of the communities.
Donations may be sent to the following account:
Account Name: TYPHOON HAIYAN RELIEF FUND, US Dollar Account No: 1600125377, Peso Account No: 1400172923, Swift Code: CITIPHMX, Routing Number: 021-0000-89 (CITINY), Address: Citibank, N.A. 8741 Paseo De Roxas Ave. Makati City, Philippines
Jollibee Foods Corp, through Jollibee Group Foundation, is also accepting donations for the victims through coin banks found in over 2,000 stores across the group’s portfolio of brands that include Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal and Burger King.
Jollibee is also accepting donations through these bank accounts:
PESO ACCOUNT: Metrobank – Cubao Araneta Branch, Account Name: Jollibee Group Foundation, Account Number: 473-7-47301401-3
DOLLAR ACCOUNT: BDO – Megamall Branch Account Name: Jollibee Foundation, Inc, Account Number: 100661267008, Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Tug boat operator Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc has also allowed the Philippine Coast Guard to use the company's 300-foot Barge Lynx in transporting relief goods and supplies as well as equipment to Tacloban and other affected areas for free.
Barge Lynx, one of the largest barges in the Philippines, can transport 8,000 metric tons of goods, or the equivalent weight of 150,000 sacks of rice.
Del Monte Pacific Co Ltd said it would reach out to the local government agencies in Leyte in "providing meaningful assistance” to the victims.
West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc is donating P1 million to the typhoon victims through the PLDT-Smart Foundation, as part of the Tulong Kapatid efforts of the MVP group of companies.
The group’s Alagang Kapatid Foundation last Sunday raised P21 million in less than two hours during a telethon.
The company will also send 12,000 units of one-liter bottles, 15,000 one-gallon jugs and 10,000 pieces of bottled water to various public and private organizations. It already deployed 3,000 one-liter bottles and 1,100 one-gallon jugs of water to Alagang Kapatid Foundation, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Philippine Navy.
In coordination with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Maynilad is also sending water engineers to Tacloban to provide technical assistance in getting the city’s water systems up and running. Water supply in these areas was disrupted because of widespread infrastructure damage.
“Typhoon Yolanda has inflicted unimaginable damage and losses to our countrymen in Visayas. We are committed to helping them recover and pick-up the pieces, in whatever way we can,” said Maynilad president Ricky P. Vargas.
“For those who also want to donate goods, they can drop off their in-kind donations in our Maynilad offices in Cavite, Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Quezon City,” Vargas added.
Aboitiz Foundation has raised P30 million, including P5 million pledged by mega star Sharon Cuneta and P25 million by Union Bank of the Philippines.
Cuneta said she is giving a total of P10 million, with the other P5 million coursed through the Alagang Kapatid Foundation. “This is how much I believe in you both. God bless Visayas,” she said.
The corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of the Aboitiz group earlier set up a command center in the Visayas after shipping relief packs and hygiene kits for 6,500 families in Northern Cebu.
The foundation said donations can be coursed through its UShare portal http://ushare.unionbankph.com/aboitiz/, and through the following bank accounts: Union Bank of the Philippines Account No. 10026-1070944 and City Savings Bank Account No. 200-20031301
Lastly, the San Miguel group has mobilized its business units for the relief efforts, with affiliate Philippine Airlines (PAL) committing to airlift relief goods for free.
Open to government agencies and duly-registered foundations and non-government organizations, the PAL Cargo Humanitarian Grant will transport the following necessities: medicines, medical supplies, powdered milk for infants, hygiene products; toiletries such as new underwear, and ready-to-eat products such as dried fish and dried fruits, which cannot be readily sourced in the affected areas.
The San Miguel Foundation also coordinated with the DSWD to donate thousands of boxes of relief goods, consisting of drinking water and canned meat products.
San Miguel Brewery Inc. is repacking additional relief goods, using its Mandaue Brewery in Cebu as a command center for relief operations and as drop-off point for donations.
Petron Corp meanwhile is tapping its 500 service stations nationwide as drop-off points for donations. The company also said it will establish temporary service stations to ensure reliable fuel supply at the right prices in order to help recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts.
source: interaksyon.com
