Exemplary influence & Yuletide cheer
December is always a month of heady whirlwinds as we try to finish up all that needs to be done for the year that is to pass. Once the Christmas break starts, everyone is already in such a festive mood that one would be hard pressed to get down to brass tacks and burn the midnight oil, so to speak.
So, on this Christmas Day, as you probably are sitting back and relaxing after the Christmas Eve revelry, allow me to humbly share some moments this month that have brought me some Yuletide cheer.
For starters, I was recently recognized as a “Man of Exemplary Influence” by the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) for leadership and commitment to public service.
For me, influence is more than a title or a platform; it is a responsibility. I thank the PCS for giving me this honor, but, at the end of the day, influence is immaterial or doesn’t mean anything unless that influence can actually result in improving the lives of our countrymen.
I do hope that whatever influence I have, I can use it to make sure that my fellow Filipinos will be better off, especially in the fight against cancer. This recognition strengthens my resolve to continue using this influence responsibly.
Recently, also, Board Members of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), led by the Ayala Corp. chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC) chairman, president, and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan, and Aboitiz Group of Companies CEO Sabin Aboitiz, convened for PDRF’s annual Board Meeting in Makati City to discuss impacts of recent typhoons and earthquakes and PDRF’s response and recovery efforts for the affected areas.
To bolster response efforts for recent disasters, PDRF mobilized over P20.7 million in assistance reaching more than 20,000 affected families. This was made possible through the support of PDRF member companies; local and international private sector and nonprofit partners; US-Philippines Society; overseas Filipino groups such as the Philippine Humanitarian Coalition, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and the Wexford Filipino Community in Ireland; and various donors.
To recall, PDRF deployed response teams to provide immediate aid to different parts of the country hit by disasters including La Union (Typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong), Masbate (Typhoon Opong), Cebu and Davao (Typhoon Tino and earthquakes), and the most recent, in Aurora and Catanduanes (Super Typhoon Uwan).
PDRF is now shifting to support the recovery of these areas, prioritizing the rehabilitation of schools and health centers, and providing temporary shelter and shelter repair kits to
displaced families.
Exclusive and Official Liaison of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) chairperson to the Private Sector and former Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga and former Public Works Secretary, former Independent Commission for Infrastructure member, and PDRF Board Member Rogelio Singson also joined the meeting. They shared insights on current government programs and strategies for disaster preparedness, particularly flood mitigation, and discussed how the private sector can support these initiatives.
The Board discussed the importance of investments in disaster resilience and the enhancements to the Emergency Operations Center aimed at expanding and improving its disaster preparedness and response capabilities.
PDRF chairman Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who was unable to join the meeting, sent a message underscoring shared responsibility in addressing impacts of disasters.
Other PDRF board members include June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla (MPIC), Edgar Chua (Makati Business Club), Jose Victor Emmanuel De Dios (Manila Water Company), Ronnie Aperocho (MERALCO), Jose Maria Lorenzo Tan (World Wide Fund), Doris Magsaysay Ho (Magsaysay Maritime Corp.), Federico Lopez (First Gen Corp.), Lorelie Quiambao Osial (Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.), Rene Meily (PDRF), and Gareth McGeown (Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines).
All persons of influence who can move heaven and earth, so to speak, when it comes to disaster recovery and resilience.
Speaking of which, our chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, or MVP, was also a recent recipient of a Command Plaque from no less than the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., in grateful recognition for his outstanding leadership and distinguished contribution during and after the 2017 Marawi Crisis. This plaque was given on the occasion of the 8th Anniversary of the Liberation of Marawi City and during the board meeting of the Makati Medical Center Foundation.
The plaque reads that through his vision and the humanitarian efforts of the MVP Group of Companies, MVP provided critical support in rehabilitation, medical assistance, and relief operations that uplift wounded soldiers and displaced civilians.
It also reads that his unwavering commitment to public service and steadfast partnership in rebuilding Marawi City embody the highest ideal of compassion, unity, and nation-building.
Truly, a prime example of using exemplary influence to make a difference in the lives of every Filipino.
With that, and from my family to yours, I greet everyone a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!
May peace and love reign in our hearts forever. *
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