Private sector gets Taal relief programs moving

As Taal Volcano wreaked havoc in surrounding communities and spewed ash that reached Metro Manila, some of the country’s big corporations lost no time in contributing to relief efforts.

The country’s oldest business house Ayala Corp. mobilized various companies under the group to work with local government units (LGUs) to provide urgent relief efforts. Water concessionaire Manila Water and its other operating units in Laguna and Batangas, in cooperation with the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), sent a convoy of 30 water tankers to various evacuation centers in Batangas, including Bolbok Provincial Sports Complex, three sites in Tanauan and one in Santo Tomas.

Manila Water Foundation also sent an initial 2,000 five-gallon units of bottled water.

Property developers Ayala Land (ALI) and Robinsons Land Corp. waived overnight parking fees to stranded people in affected areas and offered free Wi-Fi connection in malls within the immediate vicinity.

In Ayala Malls Solenad and Ayala Malls Nuvali, the cinema building ground floor was kept open for customers in need of shelter and charging stations.

The conglomerate added that Globe Telecom network was up and running at full capacity in all affected areas.

In anticipation of possible adverse health effects related to the Taal eruption, AC Health’s Generika drugstore and FamilyDOC clinics have been placed on high alert to provide medicine, medical supplies, first-aid and medical consultation.

The group is bracing for adverse health effects, which may include respiratory and skin diseases and eye irritation. Ashfall is also seen to increase the risk of accidents.

AC Health has reminded the public to remain indoors as much as possible.

More relief efforts are underway as the Ayala group continues to work with relevant LGUs to meet the immediate needs of the affected communities.

The charity arms of broadcasting firms GMA-7 and ABS-CBN also started mobilizing relief goods and donations from the public. INQ