METRO Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) has provided personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontliners in hospitals, medical institutions and local government units in Mindanao in their fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The move comes as MPIC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan in the early days of the pandemic cited the need to increase the PPE supply and mobilized companies in the group to prioritize the health and safety of health workers in hospitals under the group.

The group expanded its supply reach to hospitals outside its network, especially those in Davao and Zamboanga that have reported high cases of the dreaded disease.

Through PLDT Inc.’s logistical resources, the full PPE kits were flown to Mindanao and delivered to the hospitals for distribution to their determined recipients. Each kit included a surgical face mask, an N95 facemask, a disposable head cap, disposable shoe covers, a disposable surgical gown and a pair of anti-fog goggles or a faceshield.

MPIC said the kits were given to Dr. Jorge P. Royeca Hospital in General Santos City, Cotabato Regional Medical Center, Bishop Joseph Regan Memorial Hospital in Tagum, Kidapawan Doctors Hospital, Zamboanga City Medical Center, South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal, and Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City.

The recipient local government units are Butuan City, Agusan del Norte province, and Surigao del Norte province, through its four Mindanao hospitals. The provision was intended to augment the depleting number of protective equipment used by their doctors, nurses, and hospital staff during the two month-long COViD-19 defense.