Fil C. Sionil In one of his Monday musings, President Duterte acknowledged the assistance given by the owners of big businesses helping the government fight the health menace. Special mentioned were the Ayalas and MVP group of companies. We’re in this together. The state cannot fight COVID-19 on its own. The government needs the assistance of the private sector, those who have funds to spare for additional medical equipment and other supplies like the much-needed testing kits. I’ve a short fuse on musings and rantings. That was before the pandemic. The lockdown and the WHF (work from home) mode taught me, not to bake like some, either uncover or discover or hone any hidden talents, but to appreciate, among others, the virtue of patience. “Be patient,” I would remind myself whenever it’s the virtual presser and in my close monitoring of unfolding developments on various issues, be it geopolitical, the health menace, and the events in the entertainment sector. My attention was called on my earlier piece acknowledging individuals and corporates holding hands with the government in the fight against the virus. Vivencio “Vince” Dizon, president and chief executive officer of the Bases Conversion Development Authority and deputy implementer of the state’s COVID-19 response task force, talked about the continuing, untiring support of food and beverage conglomerate San Miguel Corporation led by President and Chief Operating officer Ramon S. Ang. Mr. Vince was profuse in his appreciation of Mr. RSA as he commended San Miguel for quickly stepping in to help at the height of the health crisis and up until now. “He never faltered. Among the private sector groups I think San Miguel stands out as one of those who have responded fastest and responded in a dramatic way to this call by the President for everybody to pitch in and help.” He said San Miguel’s contribution has been way, “way more than what was expected and especially for Mr. Ang with the difficulties he and his family have gone through for the past couple of months. It’s just really something amazing, that they’ve managed to rise above those personal and family difficulties and really come to help the country in such a huge way.” San Miguel contributed medical equipment and other paraphernalia, built quarantine facilities, and made food donations to communities. On Wednesday San Miguel turned over 55 sets of high-flow nasal cannula devices to the government, as more medical facilities worldwide turn to non-invasive methods of providing care, including high-flow oxygen therapy, to COVID-19 patients. High-flow oxygen therapy is a non-invasive respiratory support administered to COVID-19 patients to assist their breathing instead of putting them on mechanical ventilators. More machines available will also help prepare the country’s health care system to deal with a possible surge in COVID-19 cases in need of hospital care following expanded, targeted testing currently being done by both government and private sector. “As we expand testing, the number of confirmed cases is expected to increase as well and these will require availability of adequate medical equipment. These machines will help further equip our hospitals and save more lives. While we all try to return to a semblance of normality, we are not out of the woods yet and the work to strengthen our public health infrastructure must continue,” said Mr. RSA The machines, Airvo 2 manufactured by Fisher and Paykel, will be donated to public hospitals through the Department of Health and the National Task Force against COVID-19. San Miguel, has spent P500 million to equip medical facilities in treating COVID-19 patients. RSA and his San Miguel team have never faltered, neither scrimped on resources to lend assistance. Talkback to me at [email protected]