Businesses pitch in for Yolanda relief efforts

MANILA, Philippines - Amid widespread devastation and loss of lives, various companies and business establishments pitch in to numerous aid and relief efforts being organized for the benefit of typhoon Yolanda victims.

SM Group donated P100 million to the relief efforts, while SM City Cebu turned over 100 boxes of sardines to the city government for distribution to evacuees.

Sun Life Financial Philippines also pledged to donate 100,000 to the Philippine National Red Cross for disaster recovery efforts.

"We want to express our sympathy and support for residents whose lives have been severely affected by this devastating storm," said Riza Mantaring, president of Sun Life Financial Philippines.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. is also giving P1 million to the Red Cross.

West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc., meanwhile, said it will donate P1 million to the victims through the PLDT-Smart Foundation.

"Since Friday, Maynilad has also deployed 3,000 one-liter bottles and 1,100 one-gallon jugs of water to Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Philippine Navy. This week, the company is also sending additional 12,000 units of one-liter bottles, 15,000 one-gallon jugs and 10,000 pieces of bottled water to various public and private organizations," the company said.

Japanese restaurant Yabu announced that it will hold on Nov. 13 a 'Dine for a Cause' event where 100 percent of profits from all its branches will be donated to typhoon victims.

Truck Bun Philippines, meanwhile, said all of its profits from Nov. 12-14 will be donated to Yolanda victims. The food truck business invites the public to visit Truck Bun at Capitol Commons Food Truck Park in Ortigas to support the cause.

Air Asia Zest, on the other hand, said it will be accepting donations in kind to be flown for free to areas affected by the disaster. Non-government organizations and volunteers will also be given free flights, it said.

Flag carriers Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines also offered free airlifting of supplies and relief goods to areas hardest hit by the typhoon.

Smartphone application Viber, meanwhile, said it will open a temporary service allowing Filipino users to call regular non-Viber numbers outside the Philippines for free.

"To call, simply tap any number on your contact list next to 'Viber Out.' Call your family and let them know that you are okay now," Viber said.

The super typhoon wreaked widespread havoc mostly in the Visayas region last week, with the estimated number of casualties ranging from hundreds to thousands.