Group brings relief to areas hit by typhoon despite woes

DESPITE logistical challenges, the Aboitiz Group, through its social development arm Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., (Aboitiz Foundation) mobilized its various business units all over the country to send aid to victims of Typhoon Odette in the Visayas and Mindanao.

As of December 29, the Foundation has allocated more than P15 million for the distribution of relief goods, including food packs, rice, and water, and other in-kind donations to the affected communities in Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, Agusan, and Bukidnon. The amount also covers the deployment of over 500 linemen, initially to Cebu to help restore power in the area.

The Foundation was able to raise close to P13 million, almost P600,000 of which were donated through its crowdfunding platform Kinder By Aboitiz (www. kinder.aboitiz.com).

“Providing immediate needs to the communities has been our priority in our relief efforts through our #BangonVisMin initiative. As #OneAboitiz, the Foundation will continue to provide relief and support rebuilding efforts true to our promise of advancing business and communities, said Maribeth L. Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation President, and COO.

Close to 40,000 relief goods, hygiene kits, and shelter repair kits are underway for immediate distribution to the said areas. Meanwhile, more than 300 linemen from Visayan Electric and 200 more from volunteer distribution units including Davao Light and Power Company, Cotabato Light and Power Company, and Subic Enerzone were deployed and are working 24 hours a day to swiftly restore power in Cebu.

In Bukidnon, close to 800 families in Barangays Guihean, Guilang-guilang, Santiago, Maluko, Dalirig, and Lingion from the Municipalities

of Impasugung and Manolo Fortich received food packs.

With the assistance of members of the Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM), Army Reserve CARAGA 15th RCDG and Hinatuan Surigao Sur Reservists, 3,000 food packs and drinking water reached typhoon victims in the municipalities of Dinagat, San Jose, Claver, Siargao, and Surigao in Surigao del Sur. Members from the 402nd Army Brigade, 4th Field Artillery Battalion and 2nd Scout Rangers Brigade also helped during 2-day relief operations.

Meanwhile, Pilmico organized a feeding program for at least 300 children in Bohol while 6,000 relief packs and bread donations are underway for six other VisMin areas.

The Aboitiz Group also extended assistance to its team members who were affected by the typhoon through relief goods, medicine packs, water, calamity assistance, and financial aid.

One thousand food packs were just recently flown into Cebu from Manila through the help of the Philippine Air Force Civil Military Operations Group for immediate distribution.