RISE AS ONE
KEVIN TAN spearheads a collective, united movement toward combating the COVID-19 crisis and moving forward with a renewed appreciation for life
March 15, 2020. It seemed like business as usual in Bonifacio Global City as the urban center eased into the night. Streetlights illuminated cars and pedestrians rushing home amidst traffic. Neon signs competed for people’s attention. Another busy day coming to an end, another night of fun and excitement about to begin.
Except—and everyone knew this at the back of their minds—that things were far from normal. On that fateful day, Metro Manila was placed under community quarantine, barring travel in and out of the urban region. Checkpoints were set in place, and frontliners set off to keep peace, order, and safety in check.
Kevin Tan was standing a block away from Uptown Mall that evening, snapping a shot of the vibrant shopping center. The Megaworld-owned structure had the word “RISE” and two Philippine flags gleaming through the mall’s façade lights. He uploaded the photo on Instagram, putting the caption: “We all need to RISE together! We can do this. #RisePH @uptownbonifacio_.”
WORKING THROUGH TOUGH TIMES
Kevin’s display of solidarity and encouragement on Instagram was just the cherry on top of the swift responses and measures that the CEO of Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI) carried out with his team in response to the progressing COVID-19 situation. The first order of business involved coming up with new workplace procedures to keep operations running while protecting their employees.
“We suspended our normal business operations when Metro Manila was placed under enhanced community quarantine,” said Kevin. “This made the 'Work from Home' arrangement the most viable option for us. It is challenging, but the various teams have learned to cope with this new arrangement.”
Kevin noted that the remote working scheme allowed their various teams to use available technology in order to keep up with various deliverables, as well as discover avenues for further efficiency in operations. “This arrangement has allowed us to properly identify and tap departments that can be more productive, even on a remote work arrangement. Meetings have been done through video conferencing, and this has also allowed everyone to clear up some backlog,” he said.
WALKING THE TALK
True to Kevin’s call to rise together, AGI and its subsidiaries have been working double-time to help frontliner communities in dire need.
As of writing, AGI has donated PHP 100 million to Project Ugnayan, a program of various business groups that aims to raise PHP 1.5 billion to distribute food vouchers to around one million households across poor communities in Metro Manila The company has also pledged to donate one million liters of disinfectant alcohol to hospitals, government agencies, local government units (LGUs), and to other healthcare and security frontliners, all for distribution across the country.
Megaworld has also deployed Citylink buses to provide free transportation to healthcare workers in Metro Manila. The real estate company has also distributed meals to frontliners in various hospitals, LGUs, and border security checkpoints. Outside the capital, Megaworld has provided for its construction workers, distributing grocery bags to employees affected by the quarantine.
Premier recreational hub Resorts World Manila has allocated US$1 million to procure around 240,000 personal protective equipment (PPEs) for healthcare personnel in various hospitals and health centers. Their team has also distributed grocery packs to several local communities in Pasay City. McDonald's Philippines, on the other hand, pledged to serve 50,000 meals for frontliners and local communities affected by the quarantine through its 'McDo Kindness Kitchen' program.
“During crisis, much is expected from those who have more and those that have the resources. This is the time that we lend our helping hand—to find ways to contribute to the government and to those who need our help the most,” said Kevin. “In this case, we should put priority to our healthcare, police, and military frontliners, as well as the less fortunate who may have lost their living due to the quarantine.”
“As long as we are all united, we can get through this together. Unity and cooperation are key weapons to defeat this invisible enemy.”
KEEPING THE LIGHT ALIVE
“It has always been said that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We should remain hopeful and optimistic that this crisis will end soon,” Kevin noted. “During the past weeks, we witnessed how people have stood up to extend help. We have seen governments all over the world working so hard to solve this problem. We see everyone working together and helping each other to fight a common enemy, an invisible one. As long as we are all united, we can get through this together. Unity and cooperation are key weapons to defeat this invisible enemy.”
Kevin is optimistic that people will move forward from the crisis with a renewed respect for life, love, and sense of community. “After this crisis, we will see a world that is fresh from natural healing. Everyone will start to learn how to appreciate the gift of time, the gift of family, and most especially, the gift of life,” he said. “Certainly, this experience will teach us a lesson to become a better and renewed steward of our planet, and also to become kind, generous, and compassionate to others. This crisis will not only give us lessons but the realization that indeed, the strength of the human spirit is what makes all of us endure a trial that the world has never seen before.”