Aboitiz Group donates N95 masks, other supplies to aid frontliners, hospitals

MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz Group has donated medical supplies for frontliners in the country’s war against the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Sabin M. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer, said their group has turned over 5,000 N95 masks to the Department of Health (DOH) on March 18, on top of 700 masks that were given to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

Aside from these, the Aboitiz Group said it also seeks to send other medical supplies such as surgical gloves, infrared thermometers, folding beds, nitrate and latex gloves, laboratory and disposable goggles, personal protective equipment (PPE) gowns, and tents to areas outside Metro Manila

Aboitiz Group said a portion of the supplies will be given to security checkpoints manned by the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police. Local governments in Cebu, Davao, Iligan City, and Capas, Tarlac, and other parts of Luzon will also be given the supplies.

“The Aboitiz Group is one with the government and our brave medical and security frontliners who are working hard to defeat COVID-19. We are committed to supporting the COVID-19 frontliners for the long term. Rest assured, we will continue to find ways to help our fellow Filipinos whose health and lives are at risk due to this pandemic,” Aboitiz said in a statement.

On March 18, 2020, the Aboitiz Group, led by its CSR arm Aboitiz Foundation, turned over 5,700 N95 masks to representatives of the Department of Health (DOH) and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).

Meanwhile, Aboitiz Group said its food business unit Pilmico will also donate surgical masks to hospitals in Cebu, Tarlac, Iligan City, and Cagayan de Oro. Bread packs will likewise be donated to police and military checkpoints and hospitals in Capas, Tarlac and Iligan City.

The banking and financial services arm of the Aboitiz Group, UnionBank, has also partnered with Caritas Manila to provide support to frontliners, Aboitiz Group said.

Likewise, UnionBank has also announced that its banks will remain open while observing precautionary measures such as social distancing in its operations.

The bank is also offering a 30-day extension with no late fees for credit cards, housing loans, auto loans, and quick loans to qualified customers, Aboitiz Group said.

The Aboitiz Foundation has also set up a COVID-19 fundraising page, which will help raise funds for PPE in coordination with the University of the Philippines Medical Foundation and The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service Foundation.