Aboitiz Group aids over 35,000 people affected by Mindanao quake
The Aboitiz Group mobilized its Manila and Mindanao – based business units to provide assistance to over 35,000 individuals affected by the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that hit Mindanao last October 31.
These were distributed in the affected areas of Magsaysay and Binugao Toril in Davao Del Sur, and Magpet, Makilala, Tulunan, and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato.
AboitizPower, Pilmico, and Aboitiz Foundation donated 28,958 packs of relief goods consisting of food packs, hygiene kits, tents, and sleeping kits. These were distributed in the affected municipalities/cities of Magsaysay and Binugao Toril in Davao Del Sur, and Magpet, Makilala, Tulunan, and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato.
“We in the Aboitiz Group work hard to live our core value of responsibility. This inspires us to extend help to our host communities and others in need. We hope that our assistance, in the form of relief packs, will help our brothers and sisters in Mindanao in this time of need,” said Maribeth L. Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
The Aboitiz Group’s Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc., one of the first responders to the disaster, immediately distributed water to 34 barangays in Kidapawan City and Municipality of Makilala, areas greatly hit by the recent earthquake. This benefited more than 9,000 displaced families and Indigenous People (IPs).
Apo Agua is currently building a bulk water supply facility for Davaoenos.
Apo Agua closely coordinated with Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista, Cotabato Governor Nancy Alaan Catamco, and officials from agencies including Metro Kidapawan Water District (MKWD) to help address the urgent need for potable water.
The dam that supplies 70% of the water requirements of Kidapawan and Makilala has been severely damaged by the landslide following the recent earthquake. The LGU believes it will take at least 20 days for the MKWD to resume the water supply.
To date, Apo Agua’s 8-wheeler water tankers had distributed 473,000 liters of water in affected areas. Apo Agua intends to continue with its relief operations throughout the month of November or until such time that the water supply is restored.
“Thank you very much, Apo Agua, for the immediate relief you are providing us in Kidapawan. Our people are very grateful for your help,” said Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph A. Evangelista.
Utilizing online donation platform KINDer
The Aboitiz Foundation immediately set up a donation page to help the affected families through its online donations platform KINDer.aboitiz.com.
The Mindanao Earthquake Call for Donations page by KINDer was able to gather more than PhP270,620 from 172 individual donors in less than four days. For those who may wish to donate, you may visit the KINDer website at KINDer.aboitiz.com.
