Big firms hike donation for Covid-19 relief efforts

ENRIQUE RAZON JR.’S International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) contributed approximately P350 million to national and local government agencies in support of the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

“Aside from being a health crisis, the pandemic is causing a toll on the economic and social condition of most everyone. Through our individual and collaborative efforts, we hope to somehow reduce and limit the economic and health impact of the virus on our local communities and employees,” said ICTSI chairman and president Razon.

The group wants to ensure the safety and protection of its employees who keep the ports open and running so that food, medical supplies and equipment along with basic necessities are delivered unhampered, it said. Following strict protocols and measures, employees are also given personal protective equipment (PPE) and health and food aid aside from their expanded wage and bonus programs. Rapid Covid-19 test kits have been deployed at a number of large facilities. Across its portfolio, ICTSI has continuously donated PPE, ventilators and test kits to private and government healthcare facilities, disinfectants to healthcare workers, and food and other critical supplies to truckers, other stakeholders, and vulnerable communities.

Logistical support was also given to hospitals as well as psychological support for those in need of it.

The ICTSI Foundation has likewise provided aid to provincial hospitals to support the elderly and the indigenous people located close to terminal facilities, which it said, were often neglected sectors of society.

Outside of ICTSI, Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. donated P600 million in the form of PPES, disinfectants, ventilators and other critical supplies to government and private hospitals in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The Razon group has also retrofitted the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rizal Stadium and the Philippine General Hospital to become covid-19 treatment facilities. Moreover, P100 million was donated for relief operations for the marginalized sector.

Meanwhile, conglomerate San Miguel Corp. has set aside P150 million worth of poultry products from its inventory to be given to poor communities in areas where it operates.

The company so far has donated some P1.14 billion in Covid-19 relief efforts.

“With the resources that we have, we are in a position to help and provide essential relief, especially to our neighbors, in these difficult times. To use these resources well and put them to good use is the right and responsible thing to do,” said San Miguel President and COO Ramon S. Ang.

“Many families do not have the means to earn a living right now, so food is really a concern. By helping our local government units and partner non-profit and charitable organizations bring food to those who need it, we hope that the most vulnerable families will have one less thing to worry about, especially since we are all mandated to stay in our homes,” he said. The companies of businessman Andrew L. Tan, meanwhile, have already donated over P603 million, which included food distributed to communities were it has operations, PPES for the frontliners and its contribution to Project ugnayan.

“Along with our healthcare frontliners, our government takes the toughest job in saving more lives against the virus. Our companies are here to support all efforts, and we are continuously looking for ways on how and where we can further extend help and support,” said Kevin Andrew L. Tan, CEO of Alliance Global Group Inc. VG Cabuag