ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Ilonggo business owners have donated millions of pesos in cash for COVID-19 test kits and protective gear and food for health workers and those whose livelihood have been affected by massive community quarantine measures.
At least 1,100 sacks of rice valued at least P1.7 million have been donated as of March 21.
The donations have enabled the city government to distribute rice, canned goods and other food times to 50 villages with the most number of residents, drivers of public jeepneys, tricycles, and pedicabs, according to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Among the biggest donations was P3.5 million to buy testing kits by businessman Henry Chusuey of the Henann Group of Resorts.
The Iloilo Society Commercial and Roberto Chua Che Wai Foundation will also buy COVID-19 test kits worth P1 million for the testing of Ilonggos.
Mang Inasal founder and property developer Edgar “Injap” Sia II donated P1 million cash and 500 sacks of rice.
Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo, Inc. and Hua Siong College of Iloilo Board of Trustees donated P1-million worth of rice, canned goods, and noodles.
The Que family, owners of the Iloilo Supermart chain, donated P1 million to be used for the isolation center of the city, community kitchens, and other needs of the city to the pandemic.
Also donating P1 million was Tony Jon of the JTS Group of Companies while the La Filipina Uy Gongco Group of Companies donated P1 million worth of bread.
“We are very grateful for their help. We can get through this if we help each other and all those who can spare (money or in kind) must help those who are in dire need,” Treñas told the INQUIRER.
The other donations listed by the Iloilo City government include:
• Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce Inc. Panay Chapter: 250 sacks of rice, 100 boxes of noodles and 30 boxes of canned sardines
• Iloilo Bankers Association: 800 drums of chlorine to barangays to be used as a sanitizing solution
• VIKINGS: food for 300 persons in hospitals • Felines: P100,000
• Carlos Uy: P100,000
• James Conlu: 40 sacks of 25-kilo rice
• Max Uy of Summer House Restaurant: A total of 250 packed lunches for personnel of five hospitals in the city
• Ong family: Yakult milk beverage
• Phoenix Gasoline station: 1,500 liters of diesel fuel
• Edgar Tiu of Imperial Appliance: P500,000 • Light of Glory Taxi: P250,000 for personal protective equipment sets
• Jollibee and Luis Go: 1,500 sets of meals
• Chare Lui: 100 bottles of mineral water for first responders
• Oscar Chua: 154,000 pieces of plastic bags for repacking of rice and 2 boxes of plastic spoon and fork • P200,000 from Systemic Farms (Manuel Po)
• P200,000 from Unitop • Elpidio Barcarlos: 20 sacks of rice
• USWAG ILONGGO: 15,000 pieces of hamburger
• (Anonymous): 1,200 sacks at 25 kilos per bag