Aboitiz Group extends relief to nearly 9,000 Typhoon Rolly-affected families
The Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, together with AboitizPower geothermal unit AP Renewables, Inc. (APRI), and Aboitiz food business unit Pilmico extended relief assistance to nearly 9,000 families in areas affected by Typhoon Rolly (Goni).
Last November 7, the Aboitiz Group delivered emergency relief assistance in the provinces of Albay, Batangas, Catanduanes and Oriental Mindoro. Volunteers from APRI, the Philippine National Police, and local government units joined in repacking and distributing food packs. Each pack contained rice, canned goods, noodles, crackers and water.
“Salamat na dakula sa Pilmico asin sa Aboitiz Foundation sa tabang na naipaabot digdi saku asin mga pagtaraning ko. Naogma ako na sa oras ki pangangaipo, may mga pribadong grupo pa na may malasakit magtabang sa mga nangangaipo. (Big thanks to Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation for the assistance extended to me and my neighbors. It brings me joy thinking that in difficult times, there are still private groups who are really passionate about helping those who are in need),” said Norma Belisario, a resident of Barangay Hindi, Bacacay, Albay.
The Aboitiz Foundation along with all the Aboitiz business units readily provide help especially during times of disaster.
“In calamities like this, extending immediate assistance to those who need help the most has always been our top priority. This is a very challenging year but we will continue to help the affected communities and the Philippine government in any way we can,” said Aboitiz Foundation President and Chief Operating Officer Maribeth L. Marasigan.
Aside from relief goods, the Aboitiz Group also donated construction materials such as GI sheets and plywood to help families reconstruct their homes badly damaged by the typhoon. The Aboitiz Foundation launched “Project Rebuild” through its crowdsourcing platform KINDer by Aboitiz to help raise funds for the rebuild.
The funds will help provide shelter kits to families who lost their homes and purchase additional construction materials to repair partially-damaged houses in Albay. To donate, please visit kinder.aboitiz.com
Meanwhile Visayan Electric, AboitizPower’s distribution unit based in Cebu, also dispatched a team to help restore power in Tiwi, Albay. To date, Tiwi, Albay still has no electricity after Typhoon Rolly made a devastating second landfall over the area.
The Department of Energy (DOE) was particularly grateful for this initiative.
“Let us stay positive whichever calamity comes our way, and let us thank the Aboitiz Foundation for their support during this difficult time (Let us stay positive ano man ang kalamidad ang dumating at pasalamat tayo sa Aboitiz Foundation sa kanilang suporta kapag may kalamidad),” said DOE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi.
