Aboitiz donates rescue boat, emergency gears to SBMA

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT - A rescue boat and other emergency-response equipment received on Monday by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority ( SBMA) .

Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., the social development arm of the Aboitiz Group of Companies, donated the said items.

The donations were formally sealed with the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the Subic Enerzone Corp. (SEZ), an Aboitiz company represented by its senior vice president and COO Dante Pollescas, and SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma Eisma.

The equipment consisted of an aluminum rescue boat with engine, 10 heavy duty flashlights, two 200-meter polypropylene rope, two sets of heavy duty first aid kits, 10 life vests, 10 pieces of life ring buoy, and 10 pairs of heavy duty safety boots, with a total value of P247,000.

Eisma said the rescue equipment will augment the limited resources of the SBMA Emergency and Rescue Team, which also responds to requests for assistance during emergencies in the nearby communities of Olongapo City, Zambales, and Bataan.

She said that Enerzone and Aboitiz Foundation had always been partners in emergency response, pointing out that since 2007, Enerzone and Aboitiz Foundation have been allocating P125,000 annually for the maintenance of seven ambulances of the SBMA’s Emergency Medical Services through the “Adopt-anAmbulance” program.

Meanwhile, Pollescas said that aside from the SBMA, SEZ and Aboitiz Foundation had also donated disaster-preparedness and response equipment to community rescue groups in Olongapo City, including the barangays of Kalaklan, West Bajac-Bajac, Santa Rita, and Old Cabalan.

At the same time, the SBMA authorities also acknowledged the donation made by Crown Peak Estate Developers, Inc. which operates hotels and tourism and recreation facilities at the Upper Cubi Area in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Crown Peak President Anthony Trillo personally turned over the donation consisting of two motorcycles to SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Support Services Ramon Agregado.

Also on hand to receive the donation were SBMA Law Enforcement Department (SBMA-LED) head Col. Vicente Tolentino and Maj. Jose Alquizar, head of the SBMA-LED physical security and community relations division.— Ric Sapnu