Businessmen quick to lend helping hand

WAYWARD HOUSE A house rests on a wall by the roadside in Cagayan de Oro City, a mute witness to the power and fury unleashed by Tropical Storm “Sendong.” CAI PANLILIO/Inquirer Mindanao

The business community has responded with its own deluge of assistance to the thousands left grieving and homeless by Tropical Storm “Sendong.”

Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Smart Communications on Monday said they had sent up to 2,000 units of bottled water and 300 five-gallon containers of potable water to the flood victims in Cagayan de Oro City.

An additional shipment of 2,000 pieces of 1.5-gallon containers of potable water will follow in the next few days, the two companies said.

Maynilad said it was also sending portable equipment to Cagayan de Oro to produce potable water on site for the evacuees.

“In this time of great need, we gladly extend our expertise and resources to those beyond our concession area,” said  Ricky Vargas, Maynilad president and chief executive officer.

Manila Water, the other concessionaire serving Metro Manila, set up a mobile treatment plant in Cagayan de Oro on  Saturday. The plant is capable of making even floodwater safe for drinking at 3,000 liters per hour, according to the company’s corporate communications manager, Jeric Sevilla.

Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC) said it was donating P100,000 to the victims, to be coursed through TV5 Kapatid Foundation Inc.

“Our hearts go the the victims of typhoon  Sendong.  We hope to do our share in helping the victims, albeit in a small way,” Marlene Ochoa, MNTC vice president for corporate communication, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils., which operates a plant employing around 400 people in Cagayan de Oro, distributed three truckloads of Wilkins Distilled Drinking Water and over 200 cases of Viva Mineral Water to typhoon victims.

The company said it had mobilized its plant management team in the city to help assess the damage to the local community. Over 70 of its workers were left homeless by the calamity, it added.

Samsung Electronics Philippines Corp. donated P2 million to the relief effort, while Metrobank Foundation chaired by Dr. George S.K. Ty gave P2 million through the local government units and the Philippine Red Cross.

SM Cagayan de Oro offered empty spaces in the mall as temporary shelter for store tenants and employees affected by the storm.

Philippine Business for Social Progress, the largest corporate-led social development organization in the country, donated an initial P300,000.

The amount, raised from contributions from members and partners, would be released to Iligan City through the foundation’s Mindanao regional operations office.

San Miguel Corp. pitched in with P5 million worth of canned goods and water, while Jollibee Foods Corp. donated sacks of rice in partnership with the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro and the Catholic Relief Services.

Free transports

The Jollibee Foundation executive director, Gisela Tiongson, said the company’s franchisee in Iloilo, Alrose Foods Corp., distributed cooked rice on Saturday to various evacuation centers and would set up processing centers for relief goods.

National flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) offered to transport relief goods to Cagayan de Oro and other affected areas for free.

“As in past natural disasters, PAL is taking the initiative to bring donations as quick as possible to affected areas. PAL will fly relief goods up to January next year until those affected by typhoon Sendong in Cagayan de Oro and other parts of Mindanao are able to rebuild their lives,” said Carmen Sarmiento, PAL Foundation executive director.

Sarmiento said groups from nearby cities wishing to receive donations may send their representatives to the Cagayan de Oro and Dipolog airports to formally accept the goods. PAL said it would prioritize the delivery of small items such as medicines and food items.

Interested parties may contact PAL Foundation through email at [email protected].

The shipping industry leader, Negros Navigation, also offered the free delivery of supplies to Mindanao.

“As part of our contribution, SuperFerry and Negros Navigation vessels will be used to assist government agencies, NGOs, and private sectors in sending food, clothes, water and emergency supplies to Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Ozamiz,” said Negros Navigation CEO Sulficio Tagud Jr.

The shipping company has also set up collection centers around the country. Donors based in Manila may bring relief goods to Negros Navigation and Super Ferry ticket outlets at Robinsons Ermita, Araneta Center-Cubao and Victory Mall in Caloocan City.

‘Libreng tawag’

Aside from accepting relief goods, Globe Telecom said it had set up nine “libreng tawag” centers in the cities of Iligan, Cagayan de Oro and Dumaguete to allow affected residents to make calls to loved ones free of charge.

Smart Communications also opened its own “libreng tawag” and phone recharging centers at evacuation centers and barangay halls in the affected areas in Cagayan de Oro; and Camanjac and Batinguel in Dumaguete. Some of the stations also offered free Internet connections.

Smart also called on subscribers to do their share: Smart Money users can transfer funds through their mobile phones to the Baha Fund (Account No. 5577 5130 6822 1104). Donors may also deposit cash through the same Smart Money account number at any Banco De Oro branch or through Hapinoy and Cebuana Lhuillier outlets.

Koko’s appeal

In an appeal to private donors, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, a native of Cagayan de Oro, on Monday gave a list of organizations and account numbers that accept cash donations.

These include the Rotary Club of Manila Bay (Banco de Oro-Main Office Account No. 003008034272), and Philippine Red Cross-Cagayan de Oro chapter (PNB Savings Account No. 287831900017).

Pimentel said donations can also be made through the office of Archbishop Antonio Ledesma at Cagayan de Oro Cathedral, village chair,am Rolando “Klarex” Uy of Carmen, Cagayan de Oro; and Marlo L. Tabac (care of James Giam) of East Bound Terminal, San Pedro Street, Gusa, Cagayan de Oro.

Pimentel noted that the evacuees, who needed food and clothing, had also requested cooking utensils and plates.

And on a grimmer note, the senator also spoke of a pressing demand for coffins particularly in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. With reports from Cathy Yamsuan and Riza Olchondra