MANILA, Philippines—The country’s top-tier corporations, along with many individual philanthropists, have joined relief efforts for victims of Tropical Storm “Ondoy” (international codename: Ketsana).

Across the Ayala group of companies, all business units are busy raising funds and using their vast network to help in the nationwide relief efforts.

Consumer-oriented companies like San Miguel Corp., Petron Corp., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Asia Brewery Inc., are likewise distributing relief goods to affected areas.

The PLDT group of companies, which includes PLDT, Smart Communications, ePLDT and PLDT Smart Foundation, has given P10 million worth of relief goods to Ondoy victims.

Volunteer employees from the PLDT group are now fanning out to hard hit areas like Marikina, Cainta, Pasig, Malabon, Quezon City, San Mateo and Pampanga to distribute relief goods and provide medical help.

Medical mission

Doctors and nurses from PLDT and Metro Pacific sister companies Makati Medical Center and Cardinal Santos Medical Center were in Marikina Wednesday and will be in Cainta on Thursday to help the sick. Smart opened Tawag Centers at each location to offer free calls and charging facilities while Maynilad provided free bottled water.

PLDT also sent helicopters to airdrop food in waterlogged Cainta last Sunday.

Broadcasting giants ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. and GMA Network Inc. were instrumental in mobilizing relief efforts as early as Saturday when the storm lashed the metropolis.

Globe Telecom has pledged P1 million each to relief efforts organized by ABS-CBN and GMA 7, P1M to Gawad Kalinga, and P2 million worth of goods to Net25 as well as the Department of Social Work and Development.

GSIS loans

Government financial institutions like the LandBank of the Philippines and Government Service Insurance System have also announced various measures to help affected clients and members.

GSIS president and general manager Winston Garcia announced the availability of P5 billion in emergency loans for calamity victims.

GSIS said members could apply for GSIS loans starting Thursday until Oct. 31.

LandBank is considering extending the maturity period of certain loans or refinancing and facilitating the release of guarantee claims under the Agricultural Guarantee Fund Pool (AGFP).

Ayala Land Inc. has opened up drop areas for relief goods in its Ayala malls.

Manila Water Co., on the other hand, has deployed water tankers in San Mateo, Rodriguez, Pasig, parts of Taguig, and Marikina where an estimated 55,000 households are still without water.

Ayalas’ banking arm, Bank of the Philippine Islands, has created an account to accept public donations.

The Ayala group has also agreed to lend its chopper to the Philippine National Red Cross for its survey and rescue operations in affected areas.

San Miguel has donated thousands of cases of water and juice as well as canned goods to affected communities since Saturday. It has also lent two choppers to the National Disaster Coordinating Council for rescue operations.

Petron Corp. donated 10 truckloads of instant noodles to ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya, GMA Kapuso Foundation, DSWD, Red Cross, La Salle Green Hills and Marikina communities. It also provided 10 drums of aviation fuel to NDCC for the use of their jets.

The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) is donating P5 million in initial assistance to communities affected by Ondoy. With a report from Riza T. Olchondra