Smart Communications is helping Marikina residents who were heavily impacted by Typhoon Ulysses get back on their feet. Together with PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), PayMaya and the local government of Marikina, the wireless unit of PLDT launched a cash-for-work program in the city that allowed families immediate livelihood opportunities after the wrath of the typhoon.
“The typhoon flooded many communities in Marikina. This initiative gives hope to affected residents that they can rise from this calamity along with the city,” said Marikina Vice Mayor Marion Andres.
Around 100 beneficiaries in Barangay Industrial Valley Complex received daily wages, as well as cleaning materials and hygiene kits for their efforts. Smart also handed out relief packs and face masks.
“We launched the cash-for-work program in the city to help Marikenyos who bore the brunt of Typhoon Ulysses jump-start their lives and recover from this devastation,” said Jowel Du, Smart AVP and Regional Development Head for NCR 2.
“We offered cash aid equivalent to 5 days’ work to around 100 household heads as part of our relief efforts here in Marikina to assist residents who were heavily impacted by floods,” added Stephanie Orlino, Smart AVP for Community Partnerships.
Typhoon Ulysses brought torrential rains when it slammed into Marikina in November submerging large parts of the city. Marikina has been under a state of calamity following the devastation of Ulysses. The typhoon left at least P30 billion worth of damage in its wake forcing Mayor Marcelino Teodoro to suspend classes for a month as residents rebuild their lives.
Smart also launched the same program in Barangay San Jose, Rodriguez, Rizal that supported 115 families. Residents have been cleaning mud and debris that swamped the community after Typhoon Ulysses dumped heavy rains a few weeks ago.
Including Marikina and Rizal, the cash-for-work aid will benefit some 925 families in typhoon-hit areas in Tuguegarao City; Garchitorena and Pili, Camarines Sur; and Ilagan, Isabela
“The whole PLDT group and PLDT-Smart Foundation are always ready to assist our fellow Filipinos in times of calamity. During the recovery period, the cash-for-work program allows family heads to earn a living as they take time off from work to fix their houses,” explained Esther Santos, PLDT-Smart Foundation President.
This initiative is part of Smart’s core value of “malasakit” where the company is committed to help communities it serves. Smart aims to be the pillar of support especially in times of disaster. Smart has also set up Libreng Tawag, Wi-Fi, Charging, and Load stations in areas that suffered the wrath of the two typhoons. The PLDT group together with PLDT-Smart Foundation continues to distribute relief packs in heavily impacted communities across Luzon.