More corporate aid for COVID-19 front-liners, employees

New ventillators donated by SM to PGH

The SM group has deployed intensive care unit (ICU)-grade ventilators to various medical institutions to support the full recovery of COVID-19 patients, as part its P170-million budget to support medical front-liners in this pandemic.

The disinfecting apparatus donated by the Villar group in support of the country’s fight against the spread of COVID-19 outbreak has been installed at Rizal Medical Center in Pasig for use of the healthcare workers, staff and everyone going to the hospital.

The disinfecting apparatus has a sensor prompting to automatically spray disinfecting mists when people enter the tunnel.

Disinfecting apparatus donated by the Villar group

For its part, Global healthcare company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) distributed 20,000 care kits to 26 hospitals and nine non-profit organizations (NGOs) nationwide to support Filipino healthcare workers. This donation is estimated at P10 million but the company has pledged to distribute another P10 million worth of rehydration drinks.

D.M. Wenceslao and Associates Inc. (DMWAI), owner-developer of Aseana City, unveiled a P100-million emergency contingency fund to help alleviate the impact of the COVID-19-related lockdown on its employees and tenants.

DMWAI chair Delfin Wenceslao said the fund would cover continued payment of wages, leave conversions, and other means of financial support and assistance. The company will also disburse salaries for two successive payment periods in advance. As for retail tenants, rent concessions will be granted to tenants affected by the mandated shutdown. 

“We have also allocated funds and donations to address and assist the communities bordering our projects and developments,” Wenceslao said.

SM Foundation delivered the ventilators to the following institutions at the center of the COVID-19 war: Philippine General Hospital, Lung Center of the Philippines, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and San Lazaro Hospital.  It also provided ventilator units to West Visayas State University Medical Center in Iloilo and Baguio General Hospital.
 
The provision of much needed ICU-grade ventilators are seen to help many patients in critical care.

From the Villar group, disinfecting apparatus will also be installed in Lung Center, Heart Center, and Quirino Medical Center in Quezon City, RITM and Las Pinas General Hospital, San Lazaro and Sta. Ana Hospital in Manila, and Don Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial in Caloocan.

“Like you, we are amazed every single day by the commitment and selflessness of our nation’s healthcare staff who are braving their health and safety at the front lines to ensure ours,” said J&J Philippines managing director Raghu Krishnan.

“There is an urgent need to ensure the forts are held strong during these times of public health crisis. That is why, in response to the growing need for support, we are making these donations to ensure that our frontliners stay healthy and are able to continue the fight against COVID-19.”

Krishnan vowed to provide more aid within the coming weeks to supply partner hospitals with additional surgical masks and personal protective equipment (PPE).

“As the situation develops in our country, Johnson & Johnson Philippines will continue to look for ways that will allow us to extend our resources and expertise further. We will continue to bring our full resources and minds that we may overcome this pandemic together.”