Biz Buzz: PAL versus the pandemic

Airlines are among the hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, their survival will be crucial to ending the global health crisis and spurring economic recovery.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) and other carriers are thus preparing to transport the COVID-19 vaccine from distant shores across the archipelago.

“PAL is readying its fleet of wide-body aircraft for the task of transporting vaccines to the Philippines and around the region,” PAL said.

While waiting for this, they have no choice but to restore flights wherever they can.

PAL announced its biggest domestic expansion yet for the Christmas holiday this year.

This is despite slow action from the government to relax restrictions on local travel. Those planes, after all, are a cash burn whether they are grounded or not.

PAL alone said it increased flights by 103 percent this month from November.

It’s a big increase by any measure. But it should not give the illusion the sector is on the mend.

It’s far from where PAL and other airlines need to be. Nevertheless, PAL said flights must continue: the business and flyers depend on them.

It’s for this reason the carrier doubled flights between Manila and Cebu starting Dec. 1 and made significant increases to Cagayan de Oro and Tacloban.

It also resumed flights to Antique, Catarman, Coron (Busuanga), Siargao and Boracay.

Operations outside the capital are just as crucial. It increased flights from Cebu to Clark, Puerto Princesa, Legazpi, Bacolod, General Santos and Siargao apart from regular operations in Davao and Zamboanga.

PAL’s financial woes are, of course, worrisome.

It’s for this reason PAL’s planned filing in the United States for court protection from creditors is deemed a necessary step.

While under rehabilitation, PAL would need to show it remains a viable business.

This is apart from its essential role connecting Filipinos in the country and around the world. Amid the worst crisis of this generation, it’s clear the flag carrier is fighting to survive. —MIGUEL R. CAMUS

Toyota spreads holiday cheer

It’s Christmas and businesses big and small around the country have been doing their part to help bring cheer, especially to our less fortunate brethren.

One such company is Toyota Motor Philippines—the country’s largest automotive firm— which has pledged P5 million as aid for typhoon relief operations in several locations in the country affected by Typhoon “Ulysses” (international name: Vamco)

Hitting the country in the last quarter of 2020, Typhoon Ulysses caused flooding and devastation, severely affecting families and livelihoods in Cagayan Valley, Metro Manila and Rizal.

The donation will be turned over by Toyota to the local government of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, Ilagan City in Isabela, Marikina and Rizal, through Toyota’s authorized dealerships in these four locations.

“We hope this donation will help support the recovery of our ‘kababayans’ affected by the typhoon,” Toyota Motors Philippines president Atsuhiro Okamoto said. “2020 has been an extraordinary year because of the impacts of natural disasters and the pandemic, yet I am truly in awe of the Filipino spirit of strength and ‘bayanihan’ that continues to rise above the challenges.”

“Since moving here in the Philippines last January, I have constantly witnessed Filipinos’ unwavering support in helping each other in times like these,” he added. “These are important values that help move this country forward.”

Earlier this year, Toyota Motors Philippines also initiated numerous efforts in helping communities by donating P2 million for Sta. Rosa and Batangas evacuees from the Taal eruption, lending out vehicles for health-care workers, local government units and volunteer groups during the COVID-19 lockdown, providing mobility solutions for Philippine General Hospital health-care workers through sanitized Just-In-Time free shuttle services, donating personal protective equipment, supplies and groceries in nearby communities in Sta. Rosa and Sta. Rosa Community Hospital, and donating 30 Toyota Vios units to various Department of Health and local government hospitals in Metro Manila and Sta. Rosa.

“As this year comes to a close, we remain hopeful and optimistic in taking our learnings from this year and starting anew in 2021,” Okamoto said. “Thank you for letting Toyota be a part the nation’s journey to better days ahead. [ We] continue to be one with the country toward nation building and economic recovery.”

Aside from the donation, Toyota Motors Philippines is also extending assistance to typhoon-affected customers nationwide by providing sales and service discounts on Toyota vehicles that sustained damage as a result of the recent typhoons.

And interestingly, Biz Buzz hears that Toyota’s vehicle sales have been rising at a good clip, after a difficult second quarter. Now that’s what you call “doing well while doing good.” —DAXIM L. LUCAS