Batanes quakes: Private sector among first responders

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and its private sector network were among the first responders to victims of the twin quakes that hit Itbayat, Batanes on Saturday last week.

The group prepositioned and sent relief items and provided other services to concerned communities despite transportation limitations.

As of yesterday, the Makati Medical Center Foundation had provided medical supplies and a medical team; Maynilad Water Services Inc., bottled water; Smart Communications, Libreng Tawag stations; Meralco, generator sets, floodlights; Jollibee Group Foundation, rice; Tulong Kapatid Foundation, food packs and sleeping kits; Alagang Kapatid Foundation, food packs; Metro Pacific Foundation, water filters; Air21, air transport for medical team; Manila Water Company Inc., drinking water; Energy Development Corp., search and rescue team, solar panels, stretchers; PLDT Smart Foundation, relief bags, blankets; Globe Telecom, restoration of communication services, relief items; San Miguel Corp., food items; Bank of the Philippine Islands, food items, and Cebuana Lhuillier, relief goods. 

“Working closely with the government and the LGU (local government unit), we improvised in getting help quickly to a remote area. The Air 21 Caravan aircraft which can land on short runways and the Philippine Air Force were critical,” PDRF president Rene Meily said.

The PDRF Emergency Operations Center activated its eight-member company clusters to coordinate private sector response efforts. These clusters are food and non-food; water and sanitation; power, fuel and energy; finance and insurance; search and rescue and medical; logistics; information, communications and technology, and infrastructure.