While preparing for upcoming super typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), which is expected to batter quake-stricken Visayas, the Aboitiz Group pushes through with the 3rd phase of its relief operations in Bohol with the packing of non-food items (NFI) such as hygiene, sleeping, and temporary shelter kits for quake victims.

The group plans to initially distribute approximately 9,000 packs of NFIs to inland barangays and areas that were hit the hardest. Its corporate social development arm Aboitiz Foundation facilitates packing of relief items while its business units, CitySavings Bank and Pilmico Foods Corp. will spearhead distribution in Sagbayan, Danao, Catigbian, Antequera, and Tubigon, and Calape, Loon, Buenavista, and Clarin, respectively early next week.

“Many of our brothers and sisters are trying to get by every day in pitiful condition, without roofs above their heads or basic items such as hygiene and sanitary kits. This is what we want to fill in at the moment,” said Aboitiz Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sonny Carpio.

The NFI kits, which are being packed in the foundation’s new command post at the Aboitiz Corporate Center in Banilad, Cebu City, include toothbrushes, toothpaste, bath soap, alcohol, sanitary napkins, mosquito net, blanket, mat, flashlight, and tent.

As thousands of homes were destroyed, many families opt to stay in makeshift tents or temporary shelters for fear of aftershocks that continue to rattle the province.

The group, through the assistance of its business units and the Philippine Navy, was able to distribute more than 2,000 tents or trapal to the quake victims in Calape, Sagbayan, and Tubigon.

Carpio said the foundation will continue to tap local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the kits distribution to ensure that assistance will reach those who really need it.

Last week, the group completed the 2nd phase of distribution of food items to more than 17,000 families in inland barangays including Loon, Tubigon, Sagbayan, Calape, and Clarin. Donations from private individuals and institutions reached Php20.6 million to date.

Island barangays reached include Pangapasan, Bilang-Bilangan, Batasan, Ubay, Bagong Banwa, and Mocaboc in Tubigon; Lawis, Talisay, Kinabag-an, Magtongtong, Madangog, Looc, Lomboy, Kahayag, and Mantatao in Calape; Basdio, Calayugan Norte and Sur, Sondol, Ubojan, Canigaan, and Mocpoc Norte and Sur in Sandingan, and Cambaquiz, Cabacungan, Looc, Talisay, Brgy. Catalina, Brgy. Canmano, Sagbayan, and Pantudlan in Cabilao island.

Aboitiz subsidiary Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Inc. (THICI), through its philanthropic arm Tsuneishi Foundation (Cebu), Inc. distributed food items to 13 barangays with approximately 1,500 families in the mountainous community of Loon, Bohol.

“The foundation exhausts all means to enrich people’s lives by supporting not just the communities where we operate but as well as the neighboring towns. We hope that even in our own little way of helping the Boholanos, we could be part of helping Bohol get back on its feet. ” said TFCI President Hitoshi Kono.

Relief packs contained water, rice, canned goods, noodles, medicines, and blue sheets. Chosen areas were among the remotest mountain barangays that hardly receive relief goods because of rough and uphill roads leading to its communities.

How you can help:

Please send cash donations to the Aboitiz Foundation through the following:

· Aboitiz Foundation’s UShare portal

http://ushare.unionbankph.com/aboitiz/

· Union Bank of the Philippines Account No. 10026-1070944

· City Savings Bank Account No. 200-20031301

Or visit www.aboitizfoundation.org and click the “Donate” button.For other concerns, you may contact the following Aboitiz Foundation representatives:

· Danny Cerence (Coordination) – 09176308172

· Rowena Astillo (Donations) – 09176304484

For updates on the relief operations, visit the Aboitiz Foundation’s Facebook page. (Facebook.com/AboitizFoundation) or follow on @AboitizFDN on Twitter. Show your support by using #BangonVisayas in your social media posts.