Ayala mobilizes relief efforts amid Taal eruption

Manila Water water tankers were en route from Balara to evacuation centers

The country’s oldest business house Ayala Corp. has mobilized various companies under its wings to work with local government units (LGUs) to provide urgent relief efforts to communities affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano.

Water concessionaire Manila Water and its other operating units in Laguna and Batangas, in cooperation with 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 Sto. Tomas, the parent conglomerate said on Monday.

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

Property arm Ayala Land (ALI) announced that all Ayala Malls in Metro Manila and Calabarzon extended the waiver of overnight parking fee to Jan. 13 to help customers whose vehicles might be affected by the ash fall from Taal Volcano. Free WiFi connection was likewise provided.

In Ayala Malls Solenad and Ayala Malls Nuvali, the cinema building ground floor is open to any customers who are 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 exacerbations of respiratory and skin diseases and eye irritation. Ashfall is also seen to increase the risk of accidents.

“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 group said.