Help is here: Bringing aid to calamity-stricken Filipinos
More than 9,000 families affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake and typhoons Tino (international name Kalmaegi) and Uwan (international name Fung-wong) received aid from One Meralco Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), and its partners and donors as part of its disaster resilience and response initiatives in times of calamities.
Residents from Bogo City, the epicenter of the strong temblor, were among those who benefited from the aid. This includes husband and wife Jonas and Anecita Dauba Morente, whose house in Bogo City was destroyed in the wake of the earthquake, injuring one of their children and forcing them to evacuate their home to seek shelter and sleep by the roadside.
"Malaking tulong na ito sa aming pagkain, sa aming pang-araw-araw," a grateful Jonas said of the relief pack they received from OMF.
The relief packs, which contain food for families affected by the earthquake and typhoons, also reached affected residents in Daanbantayan, Tabogon, Tuburan, Bantayan, San Remigio, Toledo in Cebu, including island barangay Gibitngil in Medellin, made possible by the efforts of OMF's partners in disaster response: the Philippine Navy, which transported the goods to the island via the BRP Dagupan City LS551, Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc., non-profit organization Passerelles Numeriques Philippines, Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGEN)’s MThermal, and Meralco subsidiary MIESCOR whose employees based in Cebu helped distributed these relief packs as well as solar lamps to affected Cebuanos. Through OMF’s Light Up Pilipinas program, the solar lamps distributed serve as a vital, sustainable source of light for earthquake-hit communities to continue their productivity while power restoration is underway. Same goes for affected students of Passerelles Numeriques Philippines, which provides education for disadvantaged youth, can continue their studies even at night through these lamps.
OMF, with MIESCOR, also set up a repacking area in their office premises in Lapu-lapu City to efficiently prepare and manage the relief goods. Julliegen Gastardo, MIESCOR Project Manager, was among those quick to respond in the aftermath of the earthquake. “Leading the team on the ground reminded me that true service goes beyond our work—it’s true malasakit,” she said.
Families living in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental—one of the worst-hit municipalities in the province when Typhoon Tino barreled through the country—also received relief packs and other essential items with the help of OMF volunteers on the ground.
Aid for families affected by Super Typhoon Uwan
OMF also responded to Filipinos devastated by Super Typhoon Uwan. Together with the Meralco External and Government Affairs (EGA) office, the Foundation donated relief packs for 500 families through Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo. In Aurora, OMF and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation provided relief packs to affected families in Dipaculao and Dinalungan while fisherfolks in Dingalan were given solar lamps so they can have light at home when electricity goes out, and illuminate their way when they fish out on sea. In Tanudan, Kalinga where Super Typhoon Uwan destroyed bridges, residents formed their own human bridge so that the relief packs from OMF, in partnership with the St. Mark the Evangelist Tanudan Catholic Mission and XVD Alumni Association (Christ the King Mission Seminary), reach the communities in need.
Meanwhile, residents in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, Baras, Rizal and Calatagan, Batangas who were affected by the heavy rains and strong winds brought about by Super Typhoon Uwan received relief packs from OMF and MGEN.
These disaster response efforts were also made possible with donations from Meralco employees, Meralco’s Networks Group, Vantage Energy, and liquefied natural gas-to-power facilities LNGPH.
“Our fellow Filipinos are not alone in this crisis. Through our shared efforts, we are not just delivering relief to help our kababayan, but also building on the incredible strength of communities rising together in the face of difficulty," OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao said. ##