GMA Network, through GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF), turned over construction materials to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on April 23 under GMAKF’s “Operation Bayanihan: Odette and Kapuso Para Sa Kawal” projects.
GMAKF’s donation will benefit the Philippine Army units which were also severely affected by Typhoon Odette in December 2021.
A handover ceremony was held at the General Headquarters Canopy in Camp Aguinaldo, presided over by AFP Chief of Staff General Andres Centino, together with GMA Kapuso Foundation Executive Vice President and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog. Present in the ceremony as well were Brigadier General Raoul Rommel Honasan, Acting Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, and Major General Gerardo P. Catindoy, The Chief Engineer.
“We want to ensure you that we are very thankful for all your help, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Through us, you helped the grassroots, the Filipino people. We want to give back,” said Escudero-Catibog.
The Philippine Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, and 8th Infantry Division received 780 light bulbs, 1,100 corrugated roof sheets, 114 pieces of ridge rolls, one unit of G.I. heavy duty double truss, and nine boxes of roofing nails. These military divisions worked closely with GMAKF in disaster relief distributions for Typhoons Odette and Agaton. The Army provides transportation, manpower, and security which enables GMAKF to reach disaster-stricken and remote areas.
The AFP and GMAKF are long-time partners in delivering public service to communities affected by natural and man-made calamities.
“We are very thankful to GMA Kapuso Foundation, one of our esteemed stakeholders, for supporting the AFP and for helping us rebuild our camps. We appreciate very much that we have partners whom we can cooperate and collaborate with towards providing better services to our people,” General Centino said.
GMAKF through its sponsor, Lotus Tools Philippines, also donated 5,500 hard hats to the Engineer Units of the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Navy. These will be turned over to the 51st Engineer Brigade, 355th Aviation Engineer Wing and Naval Combat Engineer Brigade.
The AFP, through its engineer units, has assisted GMAKF in the rehabilitation and construction of hanging bridges in Dingalan, Aurora, Naawan-Manticao, Misamis Oriental, Paquibato, Davao, Pansur, Lanao del Norte, as well as Iraya and San Ramon, Buhi, in the Bicol Region. It also aided GMAKF in the construction of school buildings in Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Catanduanes, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga, and Marawi, among others.
“Be assured of the all-out support of the Armed Forces to the GMA Kapuso Foundation during calamities everywhere in the country. We shall continue to be your partner in helping our countrymen in times of need,” General Centino concluded.
