Sy, Ayala, other big firms offer relief for ‘Maring’ victims

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) — Top conglomerates in the country are providing assistance to Filipinos affected by torrential rain and flooding brought by the combined forces of tropical storm Maring (international codename Trami) and the southwest monsoon.

Announced in separate statements by their corporate social responsibility (CSR) arms, firms owned by the business groups of Henry Sy, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Ramon Ang and Manuel V. Pangilinan launched relief and rescue efforts across Metro Manila and 8 other provinces battered by the storm.

Malls

The following malls opened their doors Tuesday, August 20 to the public:

Relief operations, donations

Through San Miguel Foundation, Ang-led San Miguel Corp. donated relief goods such as bottled water, canned goods and boxes of coffee to 30,000 families across Cavite and Laguna as well as Parañaque. Cavite and Laguna were placed under state of calamity.

Relief goods worth P3 million were turned over by the conglomerate to the Department of Social Welfare and Development “for distribution to critical areas.”

SM Supermalls, in partnership with SM Foundation, announced that donation bins for victims of Maring will be installed in all its 47 malls nationwide starting today and will go to Caritas Manila when collected.

Laging Handa is a year-round donation channel for victims of natural calamities set up by the Ayala Foundation during the onslaught of typhoon Ondoy in 2012. It can be reached through several gateways including AyalaFoundation.org and FeedtheHungryPhil.org.

Free text, call services

Another of the Ayalas, telecommunications company Globe Telecom Inc. set up “Libreng Tawag” stations in two of the biggest evacuation centers in Marikina City: Bulelak Gym in Brgy. Malanday and H. Bautista Elementary School in Brgy. Concepcion Uno.

The stations allow evacuees from areas around the Marikina River to call and text families and friends free of charge.

Smart Communications Inc. also set up its own Libreng Tawag stations in:

• Biñan Poblacion Police Station in Laguna
• Malanday Elementary School in Marikina City
• Bulelak Gym in Malanday, Marikina City
• Senator Compañero Cayetano (SRCC) Memorial High School for Science and Technology in Taguig City
• Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School in Brgy. Tatalon, Quezon City
• Locations in Rosario and General Trias, Cavite

Funds channeled through DSWD, NGOs

Fast food giant Jollibee Foods Corp, through Jollibee Group Foundation, has turned over P2 million to DSWD “to help the agency in providing assistance to affected families in critically hit areas in Metro Manila and Luzon,” said the group in a statement Wednesday, August 21.

To reach as many Maring-affected individuals and families as it can, the Tan Caktiong-founded group continues to partner with GMA Kapuso Foundation, ABS-CBN Foundation, Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Gawad Kalinga and Philippine Red Cross.

Likewise, it has coordinated with various LGUs to distribute sacks of rice to families in evacuation centers in Cavite, Pampanga and Bataan.

Airlines, shipping firms contribute

Low-cost carrier Zest Air, after resuming operations on Tuesday, has offered free airlift relief supplies to Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Interested private sectors may send their request to Ernest Bernal, head of cargo team, through this email address: mnlcargo@flyzest.com.

The Aboitiz Foundation of the Aboitiz Group has given away P927,000 worth of relief packs in Taguig City and Bay in Laguna. The foundation also asks those willing to channel their support to Maring victims through them to make donations via AboitizFoundation.org or via their bank accounts in UnionBank of the Philippines and CitySavings Bank. – Rappler.com