Ayala, Metrobank donate to STAR’s Taal fund drive

Heeding The STAR’s call for donations to families affected by the ongoing unrest of Taal Volcano, Ayala Corp. pledged yesterday a P2-million cash donation to Operation Damayan, the social arm of the Philstar Media Group.

Operation Damayan is set to conduct a relief drive for Taal evacuees in Batangas early next week.

Metrobank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Metrobank Group, also pitched in P300,000 for the fund drive.

STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte personally thanked Ayala Corp. and Metrobank Foundation for their gestures, adding that their contributions would go a long way in helping beneficiaries in dire need of immediate assistance.

With the new donations, including P100,000 from reader Bienvenido Libunao and P10,000 from Esperanza Pajaron Reyes, the Damayan fund drive now totals P3.075 million. Centro Asia Distribution Inc. also delivered 10 cases of 500 ml Crystal Spring bottled water to be distributed to the evacuees.

“We were looking to assist only 2,000 families initially but with the generosity of our benefactors, we can extend assistance to as many as 5,000 or more families by

early next week. We are truly grateful for their help,” Belmonte said.

As of DOST-Phivolcs 8 a.m. update yesterday, Taal Volcano remained on Alert Level 4.

Donations may be deposited to Philstar Daily Inc./ Operation Damayan Metrobank Savings Account No. 151-7-15152422-9, and deposit slips sent to damayan@philstarmedia.com. Interested donors may also contact 8527-7902 to 15 local 194.