CEBU, Philippines - While preparing for super typhoon Yolanda, the Aboitiz Group pushes through with the 3rd phase of its relief operations in Bohol with the packing of non-food items (NFI) such as hygiene, sleeping, and temporary shelter kits for quake victims.
The group plans to initially distribute approximately 9,000 packs of NFIs to inland barangays and areas that were hit the hardest. Its corporate social development arm Aboitiz Foundation facilitates packing of relief items while its business units, City Savings Bank and Pilmico Foods Corp. will spearhead distribution in Sagbayan, Danao, Catigbian, Antequera, and Tubigon, and Calape, Loon, Buenavista, and Clarin, respectively this week.
“Many of our brothers and sisters are trying to get by every day in pitiful condition, without roofs above their heads or basic items such as hygiene and sanitary kits. This is what we want to fill in at the moment,†said Aboitiz Foundation Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sonny Carpio.
The NFI kits, which are being packed in the foundation’s new command post at the Aboitiz Corporate Center in Banilad, Cebu City, include toothbrushes, toothpaste, bath soap, alcohol, sanitary napkins, mosquito net, blanket, mat, flashlight, and tent.
As thousands of homes were destroyed, many families opt to stay in makeshift tents or temporary shelters for fear of aftershocks that continue to rattle the province.
The group, through the assistance of its business units and the Philippine Navy, was able to distribute more than 2,000 tents or trapal to the quake victims in Calape, Sagbayan, and Tubigon.
Carpio said the foundation will continue to tap local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development in the kits distribution to ensure that assistance will reach those who really need it. (FREEMAN)