2020 COVID-19 RESPONSE

In the year 2020, with all the disasters from natural hazards and the pandemic that transpired in the Philippines, practically all network members undertook disaster response operations in varying degrees, magnitude, quantities and duration.

Supporting the various initiatives of the Philippine Government to contain the pandemic and address the socio-economic impact of the necessary restrictions on travel and business operations, members of the network mobilized their respective organizations to help those severely affected.

• The NRC together with EpiMetrics, Inc. conducted an online training on its web-based Geospatial Risk Database System for Covid-19 Pandemic Response and Recovery for its LGU partners. The System leverages on the creation of a “Dashboard” that utilizes epidemiological and health data and other essential information to assist the LGU in their COVID 19 response operations. This emphasizes the critical role of an effective database and knowledge management system in managing Covid-19 related response and recovery efforts for its LGU partners.
• The network, through its members, conducted a series of webinars from April to May to share information that can help communities and businesses affected by the pandemic. Among these are the COVID-19 Knowledge Series: Expert Dialogue on Resilience, Public Health, and Human Security organized and hosted by the NRC and “The Fight against COVID-19: Lessons from Taiwan” a webinar organized by the Asian Institute of Management. Other member companies and organizations have likewise conducted similar activities under this priority Area.
• To support small and medium businesses severely affected by the restrictions on travel and business operations, several members of the network, in collaboration with the Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI), and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) organized the “Buyanihan” media campaign to encourage consumers to patronize locally made products.
• SM Group of companies, as well as other members like Nature Spring Water Resources, Inc. (PSWRI), the Aboitiz Group, the Airspeed Group, All Around Services and Merchandising Corporation, Jollibee Food Corporation, Park Inn, GMA Kapuso Foundation, NEO Property Management Incorporated, Chinabank, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, the PDRF, CARD MRI, and Cemex mobilized their respective teams to provide various resources to frontliners and to families severely affected. More than Php 2.2B (USD 45,233,518.04) worth of relief goods were distributed and shared by the different members of the network to various recipients nationwide.
• SM Prime donated Php 1.4 M to the city governments of Iloilo and Cagayan De Oro to fund the acquisition of COVID-19 equipment and testing facility to supplement the two cities’ capacity to conduct Covid-19 tests. The company also donated Php 1.4M to the city government of Zamboanga to help in the construction of an emergency quarantine facility that would house residents who would require isolation. In addition, the SM Mall of Asia Arena started operations as a COVID-19 mega swabbing facility to help the country against the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Aboitiz Group donated a total of 2.2 Billion in support of efforts to address the pandemic.
• The Airspeed Group of companies donated food packs to front-liners from different hospitals during the pandemic.
• CEMEX Philippines distributed food in the form of 600 50kg-sacks of rice grains, hundreds of canned goods, hygiene products, medicines, and isolation suits to over 30 barangays in the Provinces of Rizal and Cebu, Antipolo City and the City of Naga. The corporation also provided transportation and manpower for the delivery of the goods and donations. Cemex Philippines also set up sanitation tents with a disinfecting mist system suitable for public use in Cebu.
• Far Eastern University donated food packs to frontlines in different hospitals.
• Jollibee Food Corporation sent meals to frontlines on different hospitals nationwide.
• NEO Property Management Incorporated launched the “NEO Give” program to provide cooked meals to frontliners at the Taguig LGU and Taguig Pateros District Hospital
• GMA Kapuso Foundation launched the ‘Labanan and COVID-19’. Campaign for the workers at the frontliners in the fight against COVID-19.
• The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) conducted several projects such as Project Ugnayan to help the poor communities in Metro Manila, including Project Pagasa, a series of training for healthcare frontliners, and Project Kaagapay that raised Php 92 million and provided 200,000 PPEs for 70 hospitals among other significant response operations with its member companies and other sectors.
• CARD MRI, one of the members of the network from the micro-financing sector, stepped up its efforts to provide assistance to its members who were severely affected by the pandemic and the other natural hazards that hit the country in 2029. Among the high impact initiatives of the organization was the suspension of loan amortization while the community quarantine is in effect in recognition of the difficulties of conducting businesses amidst social distancing protocols and travel restrictions.