Several companies continued pouring assistance to health workers and communities that are affected by efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Eagle Cement Corp. in a statement on Tuesday said it had donated food packs to communities in Bulacan as support for residents affected by the Luzon-wide lockdown.
The cement manufacturer gave out thousands of food packs with rice and canned goods to 20 barangays in San Ildefonso and Dona Remedios Trinidad.
“Our company is committed to give assistance to families in our community who are affected by the (enhanced community quarantine), especially daily-wage earners, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities,” Eagle Cement President and Chief Executive Officer John Paul L. Ang said in the statement.
“Being able to help the communities where we operate and thrive has always been at the heart of Eagle Cement. Through this effort, we hope to help augment the food supply and slightly ease the current economic situation of the citizens in Bulacan,” he added.
Century Pacific Food, Inc. (CPFI) is also committing to give 1 million food packs to various communities across the country that are affected by the lockdown.
In a statement, the listed canned food manufacturer said it was teaming up with the national government and local government units to distribute assorted packs of viands and fortified milk nationwide.
“At this time when COVID-19 threatens our health and our lives, we will make every effort to help those greatly affected by this pandemic, to make sure our consumers have enough CPFI products to see them through this crisis, and give security to our employees who work hard to make all of these happen,” CPFI Chief Operating Officer Gregory Francis H. Banzon said in the statement.
CPFI is behind food brands such as Century Tuna, Argentina, 555, Swift, Birch Tree, Angel, Blue Bay, Wow, Fresca Tuna, Lucky 7, Shanghai Luncheon Meat, Home Pride, Hunt’s and Coco Mama.
Hotel management startup RedDoorz is also giving free accommodation to health workers and first responders through a partnership with the Department of Tourism and the Manila City government.
The company said in a statement Tuesday that it was starting the initiative in three hotels located in Manila near the University of Santo Tomas, Quiapo Church and Quirino Station. It said these were handpicked to accommodate workers in nearby hospitals of Gat Andres Tondo, Tondo, Justice Jose Abad Santos, Sampaloc, Manila and Sta. Ana.
“Through our partnerships with key sectors, we are positive that we will be able to overcome this challenge if we stand together,” RedDoorz Founder and Chief Executive Officer Amit Saberwal said in the statement.
San Miguel Corp. (SMC)’s infrastructure unit is also donating supplies and food to the police and armed forces stationed in checkpoints at its expressways. It said in a statement the donations include portalets, motorcycles, tents, passenger vehicles, generator sets, tower lights, traffic cones and barriers.
“Apart from our medical practitioners, our law enforcement and security forces are providing an invaluable service and are also sacrificing a lot to make sure that we are all safe. That is why since day one, we have extended all the support we can give to them,” SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang said in the statement.
The Luzon-wide quarantine has been extended until the end of April from its original schedule of lifting by April 13. COVID-19 cases in the Philippines continued to rise as of Monday’s tally: 3,660 cases, 163 deaths and 73 recoveries, based on the Department of Health’s records. — Denise A. Valdez
