Corporations pour support in war against coronavirus

CEBU, Philippines —  As Cebu continues the fight against the dreaded coronavirus disease, corporations have reached out and pour in whatever they can to help ease the government’s burden in terms of expenses.

The Aboitiz Group, through the Aboitiz Foundation, has donated P3 million for the 130-bed newly-opened quarantine facility at the Bayanihan Cebu IEC Field Center.

The Group is one of the responsible corporations that joined the multi-sectoral Bayanihan Cebu PH movement in ensuring proper care and management for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive patients.

The quarantine facility, located inside the IEC Convention Center on Pope John Paul II Avenue, Cebu City, opened last May 26 and now caters to COVID-19-positive patients to help decongest Cebu City hospitals.

“Throughout this crisis, the Aboitiz Group has remained steadfast in supporting communities and the government, contributing to Covid-19 response initiatives where they are most needed. We are glad to be a part of this Bayanihan Cebu PH initiative that will certainly help our kababayans in Cebu fight this pandemic,” Sabin M. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer, said in a statement.

The facility is managed by the Department of Health-Region VII and can accommodate 130 beds. The enclosed facility contains fully air-conditioned Negative Air Pressure shelter bays, five of which are equipped with medical-grade HEPA filters that clean outgoing air. This ensures the utmost safety of the patients, frontliners, and staff, as well as the neighboring communities.

Bayanihan Cebu PH is a private sector-led information and coordination initiative for COVID-19 response efforts. It aims to help bridge donations and support coming from different individuals, groups, or organizations for the Bayanihan Cebu PH Field Centers in Cebu, namely the IEC Convention Center and the old Sacred Heart School on General Maxilom Avenue in Cebu City.

Last April, the Aboitiz Foundation also extended much-needed assistance with the donation of P2.5 million to three quarantine facilities in Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila. The Foundation provided three daily meals to medical and administrative personnel and COVID-19 patients at the Rizal Memorial Quarantine Facility in Manila for a month. 

The Bases Conversion Development Authority, the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Corps, and the Department of Health handle the operations of the facility.

To date, the Aboitiz Group has contributed P1.85 billion for its COVID-19 response efforts. This excludes various payments waived, reduced, extended, or restructured to help its customers cope with the impact of COVID-19.

The Aboitiz Foundation is the corporate foundation of the Aboitiz Group that was established in 1988. Its purpose is to drive change for a better world by advancing business and communities through programs on education, enterprise development, and environment. Since its inception in 1988, the Foundation’s CSR interventions have evolved from one-time donations to carefully designed programs that empower its beneficiaries to pursue their aspirations.