MANILA, Philippines — The National Grid Corp. (NGCP) of the Philippines will donate P1 billion in goods and in cash to support health workers who are in the front line in the fight to contain the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), through the Office of the President.
In a letter to President Rodrigo Duterte dated March 30, NGCP president and chief executive Anthony Almeda said the power transmission grid operator would provide half of the amount, or P500 million, in the form of goods and medical equipment.
“[A]nother P500 million in cash [will be provided] for allocation to other COVID-19 response purposes, as may be determined by your Office,” Almeda wrote to the President.
“NGCP will be coordinating with your team on the turnover of our donation,” he added. “We will also continue to look for opportunities to support the government in battling this pandemic.”
Meanwhile, San Miguel Corp. (SMC) on Monday said it would tap its global suppliers to procure personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-liners in the fight against COVID-19.
In a statement, SMC said it has allocated P500 million for this purpose, and urged local PPE manufacturers to ramp up their production.
—WITH DAXIM L. LUCAS