Top conglomerates spearhead creation of private sector disaster response body

MANILA, Philippines - Dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), conglomerates Ayala Corp., infrastructure giant Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), and listed Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. spearheaded the establishment of a permanent private sector vehicle for an organized response in times of natural calamities after Super Typhoon Yolanda battered several provinces in the Visayas last Nov. 8.

The companies came together with business organizations such as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Makati Business Club (MBC), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Bankers’ Association of the Philippines (BAP), non-government organizations (NGOs) to have a better organized private sector response during disasters.

PLDT and MPIC chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan and Ayala chairman and chief executive officer Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala yesterday presided over as co-chairmen of the groups consolidated under the initiatives of the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF).

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle is also co-chairman of the body.

Other members of the PDRF board include Aboitiz Equity Ventures president Erramon Aboitiz, Energy Development Corp. chairman Federico Lopez, Shell country chairman Edgar Chua, Magsaysay Maritime Corp. president and chief executive officer Doris Magsaysay-Ho, Land Bank of the Philippines president Gilda Pico, and Philippine Investment Management Inc. president Ramon del Rosario Jr.

“Recent events have highlighted the fact that the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world.  We must become much more adept at dealing with calamities – both natural and man-made. The private sector has an important role to play in making our country more resilient,” Pangilinan said.

PDRF was initially formed in the aftermath of typhoons Frank, Ondoy, and Pepeng.

Following the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu, the fighting in Zamboanga City and the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas regions, PDRF became the primary vehicle of the private sector for coordinating its efforts in disaster preparedness and response.

Rafael Lopa, member of the advisory board of PDRF, said in a press conference that the year-round permanent private sector vehicle for disaster management would cover preparedness, relief, recovery and reconstruction.

Lopa, who is also executive director of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), said the vehicle would act as a major point of contact of the business community with the government, international aid agencies, and the NGO community.

According to him, five key sectors identified by the group for early recovery efforts after including typhoon Yolanda include shelter, livelihood, education, environment as well as water, infrastructure, sanitation and health.

Initially, Lopa said the group is now focusing its activities in Northern Cebu, Northern Negros, Northern Panay, Leyte, Samar, Palawan, Bohol, and Zamboanga City.

“We realize that disasters are a recurring part of the Philippine setting and we need to respond because each one affects many lives in addition to hurting our core businesses,” Lopa said.