MANILA – Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) has donated P1 million to Alagang Kapatid Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of TV5, to be used for the rehabilitation of Marawi City as fighting between government troops and the Maute terrorist group enters its fourth month.
Metro Pacific Investments Foundation executive director Melody Del Rosario, PLDT-Smart Foundation president Ma. Esther Santos, and Management Association of the Philippines president Marife Zamora handed a symbolic check to Alagang Kapatid Foundation executive director Menchie Silvestre on Wednesday in a ceremony at the MGO Building in Makati City.
“Alam natin na ang Marawi ay matagal pa ang magiging rehabilitasyon niya, so tuluy-tuloy lang dapat ang magiging suporta natin (We know that rehabilitating Marawi will take a long time, so we just have to support it continuously),” Del Rosario said.
The donation will fund livelihood opportunities for the Marawi residents, specifically to boost their existing weaving industry.
Del Rosario said MPIC would help the residents “access the market, do product development, help them advertise, promote it, all the marketing mix that would help them so that the industry would be recognized.”
Alagang Kapatid Foundation was their constant partner in delivering aid to communities affected by disasters and emergencies, she added.
“Lahat ng sulok na hindi namin naaabot, naaabot ng Alagang Kapatid. Alam mo naman, sumusuong sila sa bagyo, sa anumang sakuna, talagang matatapang ‘tong mga Kapatid natin (Alagang Kapatid is able to reach the corners that we aren’t. As you know, they go out even during storms, or whatever the calamity may be. Our Kapatid are really brave),” she said.
For her part, Zamora said the donation was in keeping with the MAP’s mission of “inclusive prosperity.” They have collaborated with different organizations in the private sector to turn this into a reality.
“It’s a great feeling being able to help in the government’s advocacy to improve the lives of the underprivileged,” Zamora said.
According to Silvestre, the joint efforts of the MVP group, dubbed “Tulong Kapatid”, reached the displaced residents of Marawi within two weeks after the fighting began.
They have since served about 12,000 families, with MPIC, the PLDT-Smart Foundation, Alagang Kapatid, and Maynilad giving food packs (with rice, canned tuna and sardines, munggo, dried fish, and drinking water) as well as hygiene kits (made up of sanitary napkins, bath and laundry soap, and shampoo).
One Meralco Foundation and PLDT-Smart Foundation gave sleeping mats, blankets, and malong.
Makati Medical Center held a three-day medical and surgical mission, treating evacuees and wounded soldiers at the Adventist Hospital in Iligan City.
Smart also gave P2 million worth of mobile services to the soldiers in Marawi.
Also part of Tulong Kapatid were 700 pairs of socks and underwear for the soldiers.
Books and back-to-school kits were given to children, as well.
TV5 news anchor Cheryl Cosim also held a coloring session for 500 children in the Municipality of Saguiaran.
TV5 also received donations from various individuals.
Home-based evacuees in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte were also served, including those from the remote Municipality of Bubong.
On MVP Group chairman Manny V. Pangilinan’s birthday last July 14, evacuees were treated to ice cream, while soldiers enjoyed pancit.
The PLDT-Smart Foundation, One Meralco Foundation, Philex Mining Corporation, and MPIC also gave financial assistance to the families of slain soldiers.
The MVP group is now studying ways to support the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Marawi, Silvestre said. Meralco had already signified that they would help in the restoration of power.
Alagang Kapatid Foundation will return for a third visit to Marawi and neighboring areas in September. Another batch of goods was already on its way.
“Napaka-importante ng business community na magtulong-tulong para mabigyan ng suporta ang mga tao especially sa Marawi (It is very important for the business community to work together to give support to others, especially in Marawi). We are doing well because we want to do good, and the reason why we have areas of giving is to enhance the way the people live. This is also the advocacy of our chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, to touch people’s lives and to make a difference,” Del Rosario said.
