Megaworld, Aboitiz mobilize relief operations

More and more corporations have mobilized relief operations to serve communities devastated by the ongoing phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano.

Megaworld Foundation, the socio-civic arm of tycoon Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corp., organized relief operations in Nasugbu, Batangas. The beneficiaries included families who have evacuated from the towns of Agoncillo, Laurel, Lemery, Manghinao, San Nicolas, Taal, and Talisay.

Meanwhile, over 11,000 Batangueños have received aid from Aboitiz Group through Aboitiz Foundation, together with several Aboitiz business units in South Luzon.

For its part, Megaworld Foundation is distributing relief goods such as food items, drinking water, and face masks, to the affected families. More than a dozen Megaworld employee-volunteers have taken part in the relief operation.

“More than anything else, we believe that it is in times of distress and calamity that we need to hold on to each other. We hope that in this small way, we can help alleviate the suffering of our fellow Filipinos,” said Francis Canuto, president of Megaworld Foundation.

Megaworld Foundation also committed to donate to the ongoing relief efforts of three other organizations, including the GMA KapusoFoundation, ABS-CBN Foundation, and Operation Blessing Foundation.

During the past few days, property developer Megaworld Corp. waived overnight parking fees in Megaworld Lifestyle Malls located south of Metro Manila such as The Village Square Alabang and Southwoods Mall. It has also set up donation boxes for relief goods in Eastwood Mall, Lucky Chinatown, Venice Grand Canal, Southwoods Mall and Uptown Mall.

As of January 14, several team members from AP Renewables, Inc. Makiling-Banahaw (APRI-MakBan), LiMA EnerZone Corporation (LEZ), and Aboitiz Land Inc. have assembled relief packs containing food, 10,000 N95 face masks to combat the respiratory impact of the ashfall, sleeping kits, hygiene kits, and drinking water.

These packages will be distributed to 5,519 families, or 11,071 individuals in evacuation centers in Malvar, Sto. Tomas City, and Lipa City, Batangas as well as in San Pablo City and Bay, Laguna.

The Aboitiz Foundation also immediately set up a donation page (#TaalVolcano Eruption Call for Donations) to help affected families through its online donations platform KINDer by Aboitiz.

“The Aboitiz Group is one with Batangas in this time of urgent need. We sincerely hope our assistance will directly help our Batangueño brothers and sisters as they face this challenge with courage and hope,” said Maribeth L. Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation president and chief operating officer.

APRI, LEZ, and AboitizLand all have a presence in South Luzon. APRI operates the MakBan Geothermal Power Plant in Bay and Calauan, Laguna, and Sto. Tomas City, Batangas, while LEZ operates LiMA Land’s distribution system in Lipa City and Malvar, Batangas. AboitizLand has industrial, commercial, and residential developments in San Juan, Malvar, and Lipa City, Batangas.