By James A. Loyola
Eagle Cement Corporation said it will continue to serve the needs of vulnerable communities around its facilities even as quarantine restrictions have eased.
In a statement, the firm said it has already provided immediate food relief for 18,000 families economically displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To date, the local cement manufacturer has distributed a total of 21,000 food packs consisting of rice and canned food to the most needy families and its host communities in Bulacan and Cebu.
To ensure the health and safety of the communities it serves and operates in, EAGLE has consistently distributed more than 21,000 relief goods to 18,000 families over the past two months.
It is estimated that each food pack containing rice and canned goods lasts about two weeks for a family of four.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our country, EAGLE is committed to continue helping our partner communities where we operate, during the crisis and beyond. We were able to expand the reach of our relief operations and extend assistance to more people in need including local frontliners in Bulacan and to families in our community in Cebu,” said EAGLE Chairman Ramon S. Ang.
With the support of its employees, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, local government units, and community leaders, the cement firm has been providing assistance to 34 barangays within the municipalities of San Ildefonso, Doña Remedios Trinidad, and San Rafael, Bulacan, as well as 2 barangays in Malabuyoc, Cebu where EAGLE’s fourth integrated production line is intended to be established.
This widens its distribution from 13 barangays in two municipalities initially reported back in April.
Apart from vulnerable families, EAGLE also extended help to more brackets of frontline workers including healthcare practitioners and ancillary employees of healthcare institutions like maintenance and administrative staff; public school employees; firefighters; military; police; and other disaster response officers. The beneficiaries now also include religious organizations, orphanages, and indigenous peoples.
“We will continue to provide support in whatever way we can moving forward to help our communities in Bulacan and Cebu navigate this crisis,” Ang said.
Meanwhile, the Company continues to address the health and hygiene needs of the residents by providing free water supply, and hygiene products such as bath soaps and hand sanitizers.
“The livelihood of many residents in our communities have been affected by this pandemic and they currently do not have the means to provide for their families. We hope that our relief operations are able to help them in addressing their crucial needs during this vulnerable time. No matter what crisis our fellow country may experience, Filipinos can rely on EAGLE to support them. As a Company, it is our duty to help and serve Filipinos, most especially our employees, clients, and the communities where we operate,” said Ang.