MVP-led companies bring aid to earthquake-affected areas

MANILA, Philippines — Companies led by business titan Manuel V. Pangilinan have joined forces to provide aid in Porac, Pampanga, which was badly hit by the recent 6.1-magnitude earthquake.

PLDT provided free Fibr Link at the Command Center in Porac, which various government agencies used to communicate the strong quake’s aftermath that happened last Monday. Wireless unit Smart Communications also set up free calls and charging stations.

PLDT, PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) and TV5’s Alagang Kapatid Foundation distributed meals to responders and affected residents, while Maynilad Water Services gave bottled drinking water. PSF also distributed 250 relief packages to families affected by the earthquake.

The private sector-led Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) that Pangilinan co-chairs has also deployed search and rescue teams, response coordination, logistic support, food and water, medical assistance and temporary shelters.

The efforts of the MVP consortium’s Tulong Kapatid also focused on assisting in the rescue efforts. Meralco and Philex Mining Corp. have dispatched rescue teams to help find survivors of the collapsed building in Porac, with the electric company providing the generator sets, floodlights, and heavy equipment.

PLDT’s aviation unit Pacific Global One Aviation Company also helped in the damage assessment during the earthquake, while NLEX Corp. provided logistics support. Makati Medical Center sought to secure medical equipment for the damaged facilities at the Porac district hospital.

Smart equipped the Alagang Kapatid truck with mobile phones, pocket WiFi and satellite phones which were used for free calls and internet services, while Meralco, through One Meralco Foundation, supplied a portable generator to power free charging stations.