How private companies have shown their gratefulness to our modern-day heroes
If there is one thing Filipinos believe about themselves, it’s that no one pulls together quite as well during a crisis. Now more than ever, we witness the importance of health workers in the country and, in turn, a lot of businesses have stepped up to the plate to be of great help in the health crisis. Some donated personal protective equipment and medical supplies to health
facilities while others pledged financial assistance to employees affected by the lockdown. Many also provided food and other essential goods to frontliners and the poorest households. Acknowledging the risks that doctors, nurses, and many others are taking, here’s what we know
so far about private companies joining the fight to end Covid-19.
Amway Philippines
Direct selling company Amway Philippines reallocated its marketing budget for this period toward their relief effort and pledged over three million in cash, products, and PPE sets to provide assistance to frontliners and affected sectors. Amway has also partnered with the Philippine Red Cross to provide over two million worth of its nutrition and personal care products and P400,000 in cash to aid the organization’s ongoing initiatives.
Ayala Corporation
Ayala Corporation has likewise taken steps to show gratitude and aid in the battle against the disease. Through its subsidiary Ayala Healthcare Holdings (AC Health), the conglomerate has distributed over 10,000 N95 masks to public hospitals. Among the hospitals AC Health donated to were San Lazaro Hospital, East Avenue Medical Center, and Lung Center of the Philippines, among others.
Coca-Cola Philippines
On March 20, Coca-Cola Philippines announced that its commercial advertising budget worth P150 million will be redirected toward relief operations, including provision of protective equipment and beverages for health workers, and delivery of food packs to the most vulnerable families.
Foodpanda
Delivery application Foodpanda has partnered with local government units and restaurants to provide meals to frontliners across the country. The company has delivered to 13 cities, from Baguio to General Santos City. Among its restaurant partners are Barako Wings and Beers, Kwatogs, I-Heart Silog, Betmoto Worldwide Wings and Tita Jo Kitchenette, and Redbucks Cafe.
Globe Telecom
As of writing, Globe has contributed over P255 million in donations, promos, employee support, and connectivity needs. It is now doing a donation drive through its application, where subscribers can donate rewards points to help medical workers in the country. The Globe
Rewards donation drive was able to raise over P35 million for 11 hospitals in the country. The company also installed free GoWIFI services in 68 hospitals nationwide and it has waived charges for calls to government numbers and health hotlines such as the national emergency hotline, DOH Covid-19 hotline, Hopeline 2919, KonsultaMD, and National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council trunk line.
ING Philippines
ING Bank has pledged to donate P5.5 million to hospitals and non-governmental organizations in response to coronavirus-related needs. The bank is also supporting the United Nations Children’s Fund donation drive to provide aid to the local healthcare sector in the country.
PLDT Inc
Digital services provider PLDT has sponsored the provision of high-level decontamination services using Steramist Asia’s binary ionization technology for The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon City. Working with the Makati Medical Center Foundation, PLDT also turned over care packages containing hygiene and food items to the personnel of these hospitals, including their sanitation team, maintenance staff, and security officers.
San Miguel Corporation
The Ramon Ang-led conglomerate allocated P500 million to buy PPE sets for health workers. The first 10,000 were locally produced and were donated to PGH. On April 23, it said 54,000 PPE sets from suppliers in China were also donated to over 100 hospitals in the country. Amid the shortage of disinfectants, the company has repurposed the manufacturing facilities of its liquor subsidiary Ginebra San Miguel to produce 70 percent ethyl alcohol.
SM Foundation
The Sy family’s SM Group, through SM Foundation, has donated over P170 million to help ensure the protection of medical frontliners and provide much-needed supplies to over 50 hospitals nationwide. These include suits, face shields, gloves, N95 masks, surgical masks, goggles, and hygiene kits.