Aboitiz Group delivers relief to Odette-hit areas
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 (Rai) in the Visayas and Mindanao.
As of Dec. 29, 2021, the foundation had allocated more than P15 million for the distribution of relief goods (food packs, rice and water) and other in-kind donations to the affected communities in Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Norte, 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.
Aboitiz Foundation was able to raise close to P13 million, almost P600,000 of which was 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 chief operation officer.
Close to 40,000 relief goods, hygiene kits and shelter repair kits were prepared for immediate distribution to the said areas.
Linemen deployed
Meanwhile, more than 300 linemen from Visayan Electric Company and 200 more from volunteer distribution units, including Davao Light and Power Company, Cotabato Light and Power Company and Subic Enerzone were deployed and have been 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 Impasugong and Manolo Fortich received food packs.
With the assistance of members of the Army Reserve Command, Army Reserve Caraga 15th Regional Community Defense Group 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 the two-day relief operations.
Feeding program
Meanwhile, Pilmico organized a feeding program for at least 300 children in Bohol, while 6,000 relief packs and bread donations were prepared for six other areas in the Visayas and Mindanao.
The Aboitiz Group also extended assistance to its team members who were affected by the typhoon by giving them relief goods, medicine packs, water and financial aid.
A thousand food packs were also flown into Cebu from Manila through the help of the Philippine Air Force Civil Military Operations Group for immediate distribution.
