Companies band together for Marawi relief

MANILA, Philippines – Around 27 companies and over 1,000 employees will come together and volunteer at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) for the annual service marathon called Servathon, on September 23, Saturday.

Hands on Manila Foundation organized the event with the theme “Mobilizing Manila for Hope in Mindanao.” They will be assembling kits containing basic necessities for the communities in Mindanao.

According to Hands on Manila program manager Mai Mislang, they asked the people from Mindanao on what daily necessities they need.

“The servathon this year is very special because we have a very particular cause, and that is helping out people in Marawi,” she said.

The volunteers are divided into 9 groups where there will be 30 members. The groups will be assembling different kits like soaps and mobile learning games for the Marawi victims.

At the end of the program, the kits will be turned over to the International Care Ministries (ICM) and the Community and Family Services International (CFSI).

Some of the companies that will be participating are Aboitiz Foundation, Ace Saatchi & Saatchi, American Express, Baker & McKenzie, BPI Foundation, Cardinal Health, Casas +Architects, Inc., Cibo, Concepcion Carrier, Far Eastern University, ICTSI Foundation, Manulife, Northern Trust, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Transmarine Carrier, QBE, Raffles/Fairmont, Republic Cement, Rockwell Land, Romulo-Mabanta Law Office, Roxas Foundation, Roxas Holdings, Inc., True Value, Visa, Wells Fargo and Zendesk.

The war in Marawi has been ongoing for more than 3 months now. The war also prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in the Mindanao region. (READ: TIMELINE: Marawi clashes prompt martial law in all of Mindanao) – Rappler.com