Ayala Corp. is spearheading relief efforts from the private sector for victims of Taal Volcano’s recent eruption.
Thirty water tankers containing a total of 248 cubic meters of water have been initially dispatched to 19 evacuation centers in Batangas and Laguna. These have been thrice refilled by Laguna Water since Monday. A total of 10,000 evacuees availed of the free drinking water from the tankers.
Manila Water, in coordination with the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, continues to provide clean drinking water to evacuation centers in the town of Sto. Tomas, Tanauan City, Lipa City, Batangas City, San Pascual, San Luis at Cuenca, including Tagaytay City and Alfonso in Cavite.
Manila Water Foundation also distributed 2,000 five-gallon bottles of drinking water in Sta. Teresita and Bauan, Batangas for evacuees from the towns of Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Laurel, Taal and Talisay.
Meanwhile, Globe Telecom has set up five Free Calls and Charging Stations in Cavite (Brgy. Amuyong Covered Court, Bagong Tubig Barangay Hall, Brgy. Kaybagal South Old Rehab Center, and Luksihin National HS sa Brgy. Luksuhin) and Batangas (Sto.Tomas City Evacuation Center Poblacion 3).
Globe is also ready to set up additional Free Calls and Charging Stations if necessary to ensure that people stay connected during this time of calamity.
Globe continues to provide free and unlimited Go WiFi internet connection in all four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) which have cancelled thousands of flights due to hazards posed by volcanic ash from Taal Volcano.
The AC Health is also fully prepared to give medical assistance to those who have been affected by the volcanic eruption. Branches of Generika Drugstore, except for those in immediate danger zones in Batangas and Cavite, remained open until Monday to extend assistance.
Ayala Group has been relentless in coordinating with concerned local government units in order to assure aid for affected communities.
According to the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, the communities urgently need donations including N95 face masks, food, mats, hygiene kits, gensets and generous amounts of drinking water.
Meanwhile, community organizations like the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation have started relief operations for victims of the volcanic eruption.
According to Rosemer Enverga, the organization’s president, the group is headed to the Philippines to carry out their humanitarian and relief mission.
Enverga said the organization is appealing for monetary donations to enable their volunteers to buy the necessary supplies like face masks and eye drops.
“Right now we’re appealing to the public to help out. The next few days are very critical. Right now they’ve lost their houses, they have nothing. They might have shelters for now but after that they need more help. Now they need food, masks and eye drops,” said Enverga.
Megaworld Foundation has also organized relief operations for more than 400 families affected by the calamity.
The foundation said it has also pledged to donate to relief efforts of the ABS-CBN Foundation and two other groups.