Gokongwei sets P100M COVID-19 relief fund, waives mall rental

Lance Gokongwei

MANILA, Philippine — The Gokongwei group has created a P100-million fund to help the country battle the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic while mobilizing various companies under the conglomerate to support stakeholders.

“As an immediate step, GBF will provide urgently needed personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks for healthcare frontliners, as well as rapid test kits. The U.P. Medical Foundation and PGH Medical Foundation are among the select institutions in GBF’s priority list,” read a statement from the John Gokongwei (JG) Summit Corporate Affairs on Wednesday.

Aside from this initiative, various companies under the Gokongwei Group have also extended their own efforts to assist various stakeholders in the battle against the pandemic.
Property arm Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) has agreed to waive rental charges for all non-operational tenants of its various malls during the period during which the mall is closed because of the Luzon-wide community quarantine. Through the rent condonation, RLC aims to assist their tenants reallocate funds and allow them to extend financial assistance to their employees.

“Through the rent condonation, RLC can assist their tenant establishments reallocate funds and allow them to extend financial assistance to their employees for this emergency,” read the statement.

Robinsons Bank has also announced payment extension to its customers for various loan products.

On the P100-million fund established through philanthropic arm the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), two key beneficiaries were identified: national and local frontline health providers currently serving in various hospitals to combat COVID-19 and the local communities where various businesses under the group operate.

As an immediate step, GBF will provide urgently needed personal protective equipment (PPE), such as surgical masks, for health care front liners, as well as rapid test kits. The U.P. Medical Foundation Inc. and PGH Medical Foundation, Inc. are among the select institutions in GBF’s priority list.

The fund earmarked by GBF is over and above the ongoing initiatives that the various companies under the Gokongwei Group are spearheading on their own.

For instance, RLC is providing support for the purchase of test kits for various hospitals in the National Capital Region, while food manufacturing arm Universal Robina Corp. is donating food products like Great Taste coffee, Magic Crackers, Nissin Cup Noodles, Refresh Mineral Water and Vitasoy drinks for distribution to health workers in different hospitals.

The group’s retail arm, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. – through its various retails stores such as Robinsons Supermarkets, Rustan’s Marketplace, Shopwise, Ministop convenience stores, drugstore chains South Star Drugs and TGP (The Generics Pharmacy), and its Handyman hardware shops – have remained open to serve the needs of Filipinos consumers on a limited time period in compliance with the community quarantine in place.

Since the COVID-19 situation escalated, aviation arm Cebu Pacific has been enabling thousands of passengers, who have flights until April 30, the opportunity to rebook their flight anytime until June 30 or place the cost of the ticket in a travel fund to be used for future travel.