THE Aboitiz Group is expanding its assistance to customers during the Luzon lockdown through payment extension, waived rental fees and sustained operations for basic necessities.
In a statement yesterday, the group said its power, banking, land, food, infrastructure and construction units are all working together to help the country as it fights the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Aboitiz Power Corp., through its distribution units Visayan Electric, Davao Light, Cotabato Light and Subic EnerZone, is implementing a 30-day extension for bills due Mar. 15 until Apr. 14
Banking unit Union Bank of the Philippines is similarly extending the payment for credit cards and loans until Apr. 14. Its subsidiary City Savings Bank is also extending its 30-day loan payment moratorium for motorcycle loan borrowers in good standing.
AboitizLand, Inc. is waiving the rent for tenants in its malls in Luzon and Visayas. It is also extending the payment deadline for bills issued last month.
Customers of AboitizLand’s residential segment are getting payment extensions for accounts due March 16 to April 15. Penalties and fees related to transactions during this period have also been waived.
Food unit Pilmico Foods Corp. and water units Lima Water Corp. and Apo Agua Infrastructura are maintaining operations to support the need for basic necessities.
Construction projects under Aboitiz Construction, Inc. are also proceeding but in observance of strict precautionary measures.
“We in Aboitiz fully recognize the impact of the current situation on our clients and customers — and we are doing our best to help them cope until things return to normal,” Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin M. Aboitiz said in the statement.
NESTLÉ PHILIPPINES
Meanwhile, Nestlé Philippines said it is giving benefit packages to more than 5,000 employees, especially those at the frontlines of food production.
Among the benefits are a guaranteed full pay for those working from home, a special premium pay for the lean workforce that stayed in production, paid salaries for those unable to report for work due to the lockdown, early crediting of the March payroll with performance bonuses, medical support for employees, and free shuttle service with meals and lodging for those in factories.
The company is also assisting third-party merchandising agencies, co-manufacturers and distributors by offering free transportation or gasoline reimbursement for skeleton staff and giving gift products for merchandisers and truckers.
“We are grateful particularly to our frontliners who help make our products accessible to consumers. We recognize that they are facing great challenges and making tremendous sacrifices, and so for our part we can only find ways to support and care for them,” Nestlé Philippines Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Kais Marzouki said in a statement. — Denise A. Valdez
