EAGLE Cement Corp. has committed to continue supporting the communities around its cement plants as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic persists.
The cement manufacturer said in a statement Tuesday it will keep distributing food packs to some 18,000 families despite the easing of quarantine restrictions in Luzon.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our country, EAGLE is committed to continue helping our partner communities where we operate, during the crisis and beyond,” Eagle Chairman Ramon S. Ang said in the statement.
“The livelihood of many residents in our communities have been affected by this pandemic and they currently do not have the means to provide for their families. We hope that our relief operations are able to help them,” he added.
Eagle Cement said it has so far distributed more than 21,000 relief packs to communities in Bulacan and Cebu since April. One pack contains rice and canned goods which it estimates would last two weeks.
The company partners with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and local government units to extend support to 34 barangays in San Ildefonso, Doña Remedios Trinidad and San Rafael in Bulacan and two barangays in Malabuyoc, Cebu. These municipalities are where Eagle Cement’s facilities are located.
Eagle Cement’s earnings fell 25% to P1.2 billion in the first quarter due to the suspension of construction activity in mid-March. Its shares in the stock exchange shed five centavos or 0.61% to close at P8.18 each on Tuesday. — Denise A. Valdez
