The Aboitiz Group through its social development arm Aboitiz Foundation, is targeting to raise Php 200 million in the coming weeks for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures President and Chief Executive Officer Erramon Aboitiz said a special task force has been created within the Aboitiz Group to consolidate vital resources and donations. Presently, the group has already raised Php 95 million, of which Php 50 million comes from Aboitiz Foundation’s existing coffers, Php 25 million from Union Bank, Php 15 milion from SN Aboitiz Power and Php 5 million from mega star Sharon Cuneta.

Aboitiz said he expects more donations to come in from family, friends and the public due to the magnitude of the relief and rehabilitation required in the affected areas.

Aboitiz Foundation has been operating a command center in Cebu since Sunday and has targeted to distribute 14,500 relief packs to the hardest hit areas in Northern Cebu until the end of the week. The areas identified were Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin and Bantayan. A separate relief effort will also be organized in Leyte. A contingent of 20 personnel from the Philippine Navy is accompanying the team for added security.

The 100 year old company traces its roots in the Visayas where many of its employees also come from. The company has offered immediate assistance to employees who may have been affected, or may have family members who were affected by Yolanda. In an internal message to employees, Aboitiz also encouraged employees to volunteer in the relief efforts. Non-Cebu based employees who wished to volunteer were offered free transportation, board and lodging. “ Let us draw from our passion to serve and heed this call of action amid this time of crisis”, he said.

The group’s power business unit, Visayan Electric Company, the second biggest power distributor in the country has also successfully restored 94% of electricity in its franchise area by working round the clock to fix lines and poles damaged by Yolanda. Sister company Davao Light has sent additional manpower to further speed up power restoration.

How you can help:

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

Aboitiz Foundation’s UShare portal

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 representatives:

Sonny Carpio +639178011068

Judd Salas +639173013469

For updates on the relief operations, visit the Aboitiz Foundation’s Facebook page. (Facebook.com/AboitizFoundation) or follow @AboitizFDN on Twitter.