Group mobilizes for Typhoon Odette disaster

First Pacific companies rally to Pangilinan’s call to action

On 16 December 2021, a devastating typhoon swept across the Visayan and Mindanao regions of the Philippines. Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) packed winds of 195 kilometers per hour. Around 300,000 people were evacuated, millions more were affected and vast areas were left without power, water and food in a state of calamity. First Pacific, its investee companies, associated companies and foundations ( “First Pacific Group”) came together to offer relief, rallying to Manuel V Pangilinan’s call, “We have faced many disasters in the past - Ondoy, Yolanda, Marawi, Taal. The names may change but our duty to help does not. Let us go this extra mile during this holiday season. Please give so that our people can have some cheer and joy in the middle of their difficulties.”

First Pacific Group raised more than 50 million for immediate financial and material assistance to the victims in Visayas and Mindanao. MPIC companies followed up with over 24 million in further support, 8 million of which was raised in an 18-hour telethon. Through Tulong Kapatid, the corporate social responsibility alliance of foundations and companies in the First Pacific Group, Pangilinan and the senior executives turned over a 10 million donation to the Province of Bohol on 7 March 2022.

MPIC IN ACTION WITH RELIEF, RESTORATION Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (“MPIF”) provided food, water filters, solar lamps and bedding to hardhit areas, including Siargao, where MPIF nurtures a Mangrove Center and local biosystems. MPIC and MPIF donated 1 million to Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc.’s Feeding Program and Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation’s (“PDRF”) Typhoon Odette initiatives.

The Metro Pacific Hospitals group was at the forefront of relief. Its Mindanao hospitals rallied with trucks of supplies for the hospital in Bohol. Makati Medical Center conducted damage assessment and needs analysis for Siargao’s local hospital and healthcare system.

Meralco and One Meralco Foundation mobilized teams of experts to assist with power restoration throughout the damaged region. They also supplied emergency and alternative power and relief packs.

MPTC’s Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Corporation (“CCLEC”), distributed food packs for employees and families, and a further 2,000 food packs for Cordova and Cebu City. MPTC donated an additional 1 million including food, water, blankets and more in relief to the stricken province of Leyte.

Maynilad gave 1.5 million to PDRF and sent over 5,500 bottles of water to affected regions. Metro Pacific Water companies worked together to ensure a 24/7 water supply and distributed water and relief packs.

Philex Mining Corporation mobilized charging stations and held a donation drive amongst its employees.

PLDT WORKS THROUGH CHRISTMAS TO RESTORE NETWORKS, DONATES RELIEF The PLDT-Smart Foundation (“PSF”) is highly experienced in mobilizing disaster aid. As the companies restored telco networks, PSF donated over 30,000 relief packs, simcards, satellite phones, solar lamps and generator sets, and ran charging stations. The Text to Donate platform and PayMaya channels raised further funds for victims.

Volunteer engineers from PLDT and Smart worked through Christmas and New Year to restore communications and help customers get in touch with loved ones. “During New Year’s Eve, I video-called my family in La Union via Smart LTE. Although we’re physically apart from each other, I’m happy that we’re still able to keep in touch,” shared Smart Engineer Mark Lumame. <<

Smart is a leader in developing tools to support agencies and communities in disaster preparedness and response. These include:

Emergency Cell Broadcast System (“ECBS”): A radio channel system that quickly sends public warnings, to activated mobile devices within the disaster-affected area, to spur action.

Smart Infocast: A free web-based SMS broadcast solution that enables local government units and other groups to easily distribute important public information such as news broadcasts and weather bulletins.

Batingaw (“bell” in Filipino): A free-of-charge mobile app that provides government agencies, organizations and individuals, immediate access to disaster warnings, location data and disaster mappings. It features step-by-step instructions to guide users to safety during disasters.