Ayala Group of Companies’ holistic COVID-19 response received an award of merit from the 2021 Gold Quill Awards of the International Association of Business Communicators.
Ayala is the only Philippine business group to be recognized in the awards’ response and recovery management and communication category for assisting its ecosystem of employees, partners, customers and the broader population in withstanding the impact of COVID-19.
As of May 2021, the Ayala Group allocated over P16 billion in various COVID-19 response initiatives.
Ayala said that on the healthcare front, it teamed up with the government in increasing its testing capacity by building laboratories and testing booths, donating RT-PCR machines and medical supplies to various local government units.
Along with partners in the private sector, it also converted the World Trade Center into a mega isolation facility last year. Under different tripartite agreements, Ayala allocated 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for its employees and stakeholders. Once the vaccines arrive, AC Health will administer them in 24 vaccination sites nationwide.
On the economic front, Ayala Group maintained wage continuance for employees during the toughest months of the lockdown. Ayala Land’s rent condonation assisted merchants to sustain their operations in the malls. Moreover, with Caritas Manila and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, the group convened a private sector-led consortium and raised P1.7 billion to purchase and distribute grocery vouchers and in-kind donation, benefitting 14 million individuals in the most vulnerable barangays of Greater Manila Area. Amid the pandemic, the Ayala Group continues to attract foreign and local investments into the country through various capital-raising exercises.
“We truly appreciate this recognition for our COVID-response initiatives. We owe this feat to the strength of the Ayala community, where employees and leaders work together with our various stakeholders to bring to life our commitment to nation-building and continue to improve people’s lives despite the deep impact of the pandemic,” said Ayala Corp. chief human resources office John Philip Orbeta.