The company mounted relief operations from Sept. 3 to 11 across 17 communities following flooding caused by the southwest monsoon, or habagat.
Aboitiz Foods worked with the Aboitiz Foundation, Philippine Army, local government units and community partners to distribute food, drinking water and hygiene supplies to affected residents.
The operations covered communities in Tarlac City, Paniqui and Bamban in Tarlac; Mexico, Pampanga; and Bayambang, Pangasinan. Pilmico's agricenters also supported the relief effort.
Ground response
In Tarlac, assistance was distributed to families in four barangays and sitios and at two evacuation centers.
Relief packs were also distributed across eight barangays in Mexico, Pampanga, while 300 persons with disabilities in Bayambang, Pangasinan, received grocery items.
The packages contained rice, eggs, other food and grocery items, hygiene kits and bottled water.
The Philippine Army provided logistical and transportation support for the distribution of relief supplies in several communities.
Aboitiz Foods vice president for agribusiness marketing and brand and reputation management Joeben Gamatero II said cooperation among employees, government agencies and communities allowed assistance to be directed to areas where it was needed.
“When communities face difficult circumstances, coming together allows us to respond where support is needed most,” Gamatero said.
“Through the collective efforts of our people and partners, we hope this assistance can help families meet their immediate needs and take steps toward recovery,” he added.
More aid
Local government officials helped coordinate the distribution and identify communities requiring assistance.
Barangay Apulid Kagawad Ralph Allyne Mendoza in Paniqui, Tarlac, said the relief effort provided immediate assistance to families affected by the disaster.
“Maraming salamat po sa Aboitiz Foundation at sa kanilang mga katuwang, tulad ng Pilmico, sa inyong malasakit at pagtulong sa ating mga kabarangay (Many thanks to the Aboitiz Foundation and its partners, including Pilmico, for your compassion and support for our fellow residents),” Mendoza said in a Facebook post.
Barangay San Nicolas Captain Bryan Yutoc in Mexico, Pampanga, likewise thanked Aboitiz Foods for extending assistance to residents.
The company's disaster response is set to move next to San Marcelino, Zambales, where Pilmico is coordinating with the local government to provide relief assistance to another 500 families.
The planned operation will focus on remote and far-flung communities, bringing the number of families targeted by the completed and upcoming relief efforts to 2,720.
Aboitiz Foods said the relief operations form part of its broader efforts to support communities where it operates and strengthen their resilience to disasters through cooperation with government and local partners. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
