BDO takes disaster preparedness lessons to heart

EMPLOYEES don’t mind getting their hands dirty in Barangay Dahican, Mati, Davao Oriental. The volunteer-employees are rebuilding homes for those displaced by Typhoon ‘Pablo’, which hit Mindanao in 2012.

It all started on Sept. 26, 2009.

Tropical Storm “Ondoy” surprised residents of Metro Manila when it unleashed heavy rains and caused the worst flooding in four decades.

Ondoy left the metro with 747 fatalities and a staggering $1.09 billion in damage to property.

Metro Manila was in disarray and it became woefully apparent that most of the residents in affected areas in Metro Manila were unprepared for such a catastrophe.

Outpouring of support

But the storm also opened up the hearts of Filipino individuals as well as corporations.

There was a spontaneous outpouring of support and relief for the victims of Ondoy.

Relief drives and soup kitchens were organized until Metro Manila got back on its feet.

It was during these trying times when BDO Foundation perfected the art of helping.

“It was our baptism of fire. Although we were already around in 2008, it was because of Ondoy that we started to develop a system,” says Maureen C. Abelardo, president of BDO Foundation (BDOF).

Partnering with ABS-CBN, BDOF learned how to properly stack goods in a flatbed truck.

“You cannot fill it to the brim because you’ll end up crushing the relief goods,” she says.

From crowd control to travel protocols, BDOF formulated standard operating procedures to effectively and efficiently help those affected by the calamities.

The work begins 24 hours before typhoons even hit Philippine shores.

Abelardo’s team, composed of Rosemarie M. Espinosa, Eleanore Y. Aldea, Lawrence G. Kasman and Ederlyn Joy A. Horca, monitors weather updates. Then the team will identify the areas that are expected to be severely affected by the calamity.

With some 750 branches spread all over the country, BDOF can tap the services of the branch of the affected area.

The team will remain in touch with the identified branches before and after the typhoon.

This part is called the “interbranch cooperation.”

The branch on the ground will then produce the list of clients.

“Our employees will scan their clients in the area who own supermarkets or groceries. But most of the time, they don’t even need to give them a call. The donations come from anonymous individuals whether it’s in kind or in monetary form,” Abelardo says.

BDOF is also supported by SM stores in the affected area.

Relief packs with water, “instant ulam” and change of clothes are prepared for distribution.

“The first wave of distribution is always food and water. The next wave will cater to the hygienic needs of the people,” Abelardo says.

She narrates that after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake jolted Bohol, the first responder was the Cebu Branch of BDO.

“As long as we have a branch or an SM Store in the area, we are prepared to help. The branches help facilitate the relief effort,” she explains.

There are times, she says, when relief operation in the province takes place in the parking lot of the branch.

In the aftermath of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” that devastated Central and Eastern Visayas, BDO employees in the area immediately helped out in the organization and distribution of relief goods.

“They also identified the families who needed immediate attention,” Abelardo adds.

Eager BDO employees-turned-volunteers distributed goods to those affected.

When the relief work is done, BDOF shifts its focus to rebuilding efforts.

“It is a two-pronged tool. First comes the relief then the rebuilding part. This is where the hard and real work begins,” says Abelardo.

BDOF builds schools, health centers, houses and multipurpose halls in affected areas with funds from BDO.

“Infrastructure is difficult work. Because it has a long period of gestation and it needs a steady stream of donations that will provide for the long-term operating expenses,” Abelardo explains.

But the local community as well as local government units are ready and eager to help BDOF in its rebuilding efforts.

“We have partners on the ground. But we make sure that we have a 50-50 stake. It is a shared responsibility,” she says

Getting volunteers

Abelardo, who has been with BDO since 2008, observes that it is not difficult to encourage people to lend a hand.

But often, they don’t know how or where they can help.

“That’s where we come in. We provide the expertise. We find ways to help them help others,” she says.

Among its partners are PLDT-Smart Foundation, Beiersdorf Philippines, US-Philippines Society, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Catholic Relief Services.

But more institutions plan to join the bandwagon.

Abelardo says what BDOF gives in return for the kindness of its partners is a commitment to transparency in its dealings.

BDOF is present from the preparation of the blueprint to the inauguration of the structure.

“We don’t just release funds. We make sure that the infrastructure is finished on time and that it will last,” she adds.

In 2012, for example, BDOF built its first birthing facility in Bacolod.

Since then, BDOF has turned over 12 health centers in different parts of the country. At least 10 more health centers are in the pipeline.

Forging partnerships

It has also built over 100 houses in Tacloban in partnership with the United Nations and volunteer-employees.

“We have a very strong employee engagement. We often call on volunteers to aid us in the construction of these houses or other infrastructure. There are times when they are vital in securing the materials to be used. We have volunteers who are more than willing to help,” she adds.

A two-story school, four-classroom building, for instance, will soon rise in Antique to help the Pis-anan National High School. The construction is being undertaken in partnership with PLDT-Smart Foundation, the outreach arm of the country’s largest telecommunications group.

In Tacloban, a similar building has been turned over to the Tacloban City National High School.

It is the fourth to be completed under the reconstruction phase of the BDOF Disaster and Response Program.

The school, built in partnership with SM Prime Holdings, was designed to be typhoon resilient.

“It is also fully furnished with school chairs, blackboards, electric fans and teachers’ tables and chairs to ensure a complete, sound and healthy learning environment for the students,” Abelardo says.

Eventually, BDOF wants to turn its attention to Mindanao. Mindanao needs all the help it can get, Abelardo says.

“They have the land and resources. But they need our help to rise again,” she says.

For inquiries, donors can reach BDO Foundation through 840-7000 or e-mail: [email protected].