Typhoon Goni: restoration and relief

The Philippines bore the brunt of 2020’s strongest typhoon, which hit the main island of Luzon on 31 October. Typhoon Goni (named Rolly in the Philippines) brought disaster to the provinces and islands of the Bicol region.

Tulong Kapatid with PLDT-Smart Foundation, Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (“MPIF”), One Meralco Foundation (“OMF”) and TV5 Alagang Kapatid Foundation were quick to provide most needed relief to the affected areas, where thousands of homes were destroyed by the winds and coastal storm surges.

According to the United Nations (“UN”), 11 people were reported dead and the death toll may rise, and another deadly factor is the risk of catching COVID-19 in the crowded evacuation centers. The UN estimates that over 360,000 people are sheltering in the centers.

Vital communications and food aid

PLDT and Smart teams worked hard to restore telco services in the hard-hit provinces and mobilized communication aid where safe to do so. They continue to provide food aid in the Bicol region after sending an initial 6,000 grocery packs to Bicol and Marinduque. Additional food packs are being distributed with Tulong Kapatid and Alagang Kapatid.

Group operations were recognized with gratitude at the highest level of government. President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson, Harry Roque praised PLDT-Smart, as did the Governor of the Marinduque Province, Presbitero J Velasco Jr.

Meanwhile, Meralco and OMF, dispatched food care packages to 1,000 families who were still reeling from the devastation caused by the previous Typhoon Quinta, a few weeks earlier. Meralco also donated 1,000 50kg sacks of rice to around 10,000 families in the municipalities worst-hit by Typhoon Goni. Apart from Marinduque, OMF and Alagang Kapatid also conducted relief operations in Catanduanes, Guinayangan, Quezon, and in Camalig, Albay.

With the assistance of Alagang Kapatid and the Resort Owners Association of Mabini (“ROAM”), MPIF distributed 500 kgs of fresh vegetables to boatmen, their crews and families in Mabini, Batangas who were affected by both Typhoon Quinta and Typhoon Goni, and Maynilad provided 500 bottles of water.

Meralco supports power restoration

Meralco joined the Power Restoration Rapid Deployment (“PRRD”)-Task Force Kapatid 2020 to expedite the restoration of electricity services in areas severely battered by Typhoon Goni. Working with the Department of Energy, the National Electrification Administration, Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association and the electric cooperatives in the affected provinces, Meralco deployed a 206-strong contingent of engineers, linemen, and supporting personnel for power restoration.