Aboitiz Group steps up relief work in Bohol

MANILA, Philippines - Two weeks after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit Bohol and Cebu, the Aboitiz Group sustained the stream of relief goods to reach more families, especially in isolated island communities where supplies remain scarce.

Through its corporate social development arm Aboitiz Foundation, the group has reached out to nearly 11,000 families in various areas such as Loon, Tubigon, Sagbayan, Calape, Clarin, and nearby island barangays.

“The immeasurable bravery and passion to serve of our team members and volunteers are very commendable. No aftershock or far too isolated barangay would keep them from reaching out to the quake victims,” commented Aboitiz Foundation executive vice president and chief operating officer Sonny Carpio.

The biggest challenge, he noted, are hauling thousands of relief packs from the command center and transferring them – some via small bancas – to these isolated island barangays. Adding to that are destroyed roads and bridges, which make it difficult for trucks carrying the relief goods to pass, he added.

Now on the second phase of its relief operations, the group reached more 7,000 families and aims to double the efforts as relief funds continue to pour in and more volunteers sign up.

Early last week, naval ships started sailing back and forth from Cebu to Bohol to ferry relief items and other non-food items such as tents for temporary shelters from the foundation’s new command center at the Naval Forces Central in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The first phase of relief operations, which was mobilized a day after the quake while aftershocks continued to rattle the province, has brought food and water to nearly 4,000 families.

The group will continue packing and distributing relief packs in the coming days with the help of volunteers such as Cebu-based Aboitiz business units such as CitySavings Bank, Pilmico Foods, construction group Metaphil, shipbuilder Tsuneishi Heavy Industries, Visayan Electric Company and other distribution units; team members’ friends and dependents; foundation scholars; LLC Muslim Cooperative; Mater Dei College students; Philippine Navy and NavForcen ladies, and ROTC students.

The 100-year-old Aboitiz Group traces its roots in the Visayas and continues to have businesses in the region. Bohol and Cebu are home to many of its team members.

The team is continuously working with Bohol’s provincial and local governments, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Bohol Planning and Development Office in conducting site assessments to identify other areas of immediate concern.

Please send cash donations to the Aboitiz Foundation through the following:

Aboitiz Foundation’s UShare portal http://ushare.unionbankph.com/aboitiz/ or Union Bank of the Philippines Account No. 10026-1070944; City Savings Bank Account No. 200-20031301 or visit www.aboitizfoundation.org and click the “Donate” button.

For other concerns, you may contact the following Aboitiz Foundation representatives:

Danny Cerence (coordination) at 0917-6308172; Rowena Astillo (donations) at 0917-6304484.

For updates on the relief operations, visit the Aboitiz Foundation’s Facebook page. (Facebook.com/AboitizFoundation) or follow @AboitizFDN on Twitter. Show your support by using #BangonVisayas in your social media posts.