Here’s How Some Conglomerates Are Responding To The NCoV-19 Crisis

What altruistic action points are these top businesses doing to help our community?

Malls may be closing and businesses may not be operating, but that doesn’t mean that the Philippines’ top corporations aren’t keeping busy — after all, there’s much to do. Hand in hand with the public sector, these privately owned companies are stepping up in the battle against the novel coronavirus. Here’s how:

Gokongwei Group

The Gokongwei Group had recently announced plans to set up a Php100 million fund to be used as a support for both national and local frontline workers. They will also be providing the UP Medical Foundation and the Philippine General Hospital with urgently needed personal protective equipment (PPE).

The Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) shall be providing support for the purchase of test kits for various hospitals within Metro Manila. Rental charges for all non-operational tenants for its malls will also be waived to allow tenants leeway in giving assistance to their employees.

The Universal Robina Corporation (URC), its food manufacturing arm, is set to distribute basic necessities to frontline workers at various hospitals. These goods include coffee, crackers, water, and cup noodles, all of which have been manufactured by the URC.

MVP Group of Companies

In a series of tweets, Manny V. Pangilinan earlier announced his companies’ efforts towards mitigating the NCoV-19 crisis. Aside from sending frontline workers complete sets of PPE, the MVP Group of Companies have also promised to provide hospitals with 4,000 litres of alcohol. In a show of support for their employees, Manny V. Pangilinan has also promised to continue the salary scheme of his workers throughout the quarantine period; this is without a forced consumption of their existing sick or vacation leaves. Vitamins have also been distributed to employees on the field, while others will be allowed to work from home.

Alliance Global

Alliance Global, one of the country’s biggest conglomerates, is set to donate one million litres of ethyl alcohol as support for the government’s efforts in fighting the spread of NCoV-19. Alliance Global is set to undertake the process of denaturing 850,000 litres of 96% ethyl alcohol to be able to produce disinfectant. Working hand in hand with the Department of Health (DOH), this alcohol will be distributed to most, if not all, hospitals currently caring for NCoV-19 patients. Some of it will also be distributed to help the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and various local government units (LGUs).

San Miguel Corporation

San Miguel Corporation is currently going through the process to attain clearance with the government so as to be able to manufacture ethyl alcohol in their Ginebra plant. These will be distributed for free to frontline workers in public hospitals as well as LGUs. They have also donated disinfectant powder to various LGUs within Metro Manila.

Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang has also recently announced the revival of the Nutribun. Originally manufactured in the 1970s, Nutribun is enriched with nutrients and was used to help malnourished children. The first batch of Nutribun produced this month will go to Caritas Manila to be distributed to families in need.

Lopez Group of Companies

The Lopez Group of Companies has recently announced their donation of Php100 million to support people who have temporarily lost their livelihoods due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. They recognise how the current situation has impacted disadvantaged workers. They are also calling for both cash donations as well as other supplies, which can be dropped off at the ABS-CBN Foundation. These donations will be handed over to LGUs for repacking and distribution.

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advocacy ncov-19