By VG Cabuag & Samuel P. Medenilla
Malacañang and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) expressed their gratitude to large companies that heeded President Duterte’s appeal to extend assistance to their employees after placing Luzon island under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Presidential Spokesman Salvador S. Panelo recognized the firms, which assured the payment of the salaries their workers for the duration of the ECQ in Luzon without charging them against their leave credits.
“Their sacrifices during this period are invaluable, and the services they are tirelessly rendering for the nation will forever be remembered,” said Panelo. Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III took note of the “compassion and good example” set by the said companies.
“President Duterte has been apprised accordingly of their exemplary deeds,” said Bello.
Among the establishments that were recognized were Aboitiz Group of Companies, Asian/Terminal Hotel, Ayala Group of Companies, JG Summit/Gokongwei Group of Companies, Jollibee Group of Companies, Lucio Tan Group of Companies, Manuel V. Pangilinan Group of Companies, SMC Group of Companies and SM Group of Companies. The Palace also recognized other businesses that made in-kind donations to the government’s effort to fight COVID-19. These included Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings Group; Mr. Andrew Tan and the Alliance Global Group; the Belo Medical Group; and Mr. Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp.
Panelo also commended the other companies, which have “discreetly” provided aid to their workers.
He urged other companies to follow the example of the said companies in showing solidarity to the administration’s campaign to contain the spread of Covid-19, which has afflicted 202 people in the country as of March 18. Bello appealed to other companies to refrain from retrenching their employees due to the ECQ.
“I implore business owners to earnestly find other measures to preserve employment of workers so as not to compound their already dire condition,” he said.
Among such alternative measures are the practice of flexible work arrangements and temporary closure of their operations.
Nutribuns
San Miguel Corp. (SMC) said on Thursday it is reviving Nutribun, the vitamin-packed bread, for distribution to charitable groups and critical Metro Manila communities.
SMC President and COO Ramon S. Ang said the bread it started to produce is packed with nutrients and provides instant energy at 250 calories per bun.
“This is safe, sufficient and nutritious food for the hardest-hit families facing hunger as a result of the Covid-19 crisis,” said Ang.
Nutribun, which was introduced in the 70s, was distributed primarily to public elementary school students as a complete meal, in a bid to combat child malnutrition in the country.
“We will continue to step up and find creative ways to help the neediest and most vulnerable. Panic will not solve anything. We have the means, we just have to work together to win this battle,” he said.
Test kits
The Gotianun-family led Filinvest Development Corp. said it is donating some P100 million worth of Covid-19 test kits and personal protective equipment for the front liners and hospital workers.
The group has identified the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) as recipient of their donation.
”We hope to reach our unsung heroes, the front liners and our medical health workers who are tireless in their admirable efforts. We will also provide more Covid-19 test kits that will enable these institutions to accelerate their testing effort to help contain the spread,” Josephine Gotianun Yap, the company’s president and CEO, said.
The Aboitiz Group said it gave away N-95 masks to the Department of Health and RITM, while sending surgical gloves, infrared thermometers, folding beds, nitrate and latex gloves, masks, laboratory and disposable goggles, personal protective equipment gowns, and tents, for those outside or Metro Manila.
“The Aboitiz Group is one with the government and our brave medical and security front liners who are working hard to defeat Covid-19. We are committed to supporting the covid-19 front liners for the long term. Rest assured, we will continue to find ways to help our fellow Filipinos whose health and lives are at risk due to this pandemic,” Sabin M. Aboitiz, the group’s president and CEO, said.
The Ty-family led Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings group has pledged some P200 million for initiatives that directly support the fight against the virus. “These initiatives will be managed by the respective Foundations of the Group and will start with efforts to produce the test kits developed by the University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health [UP-NIH] and the purchase of personal protective equipment for frontline health workers,” it said.
Payment extension
FDC’s property subsidiary, Filinvest Land Inc., said it has offered a 30-day payment extension for its housing customers who were affected by the Luzon-wide community quarantine.
Its mall operator in Metro Manila, meanwhile, which includes its flagship Festival Supermall in Filinvest Alabang, has likewise provided rental waiver for qualified non-operational tenants during this period. The five supermarkets located in Filinvest City as well as medical and food delivery tenants remain open to serve the community.
SM Supermalls Steven T. Tan said the company waived rentals from March 16 to April 14 to allow tenants to assist their employees during ECQ.
Banking unit EastWest Bank was first to offer a 30-day extension program on the payment due dates of eligible customers for auto, personal, mortgage and loans and credit cards.
Courier LBC Express Inc., meanwhile, said it remains open despite the lockdown since cargo forwarding and money remittance companies are allowed to operate.
“We, at LBC, remain committed to deliver as best and fast as we can. However, due to restricted land, sea, and air travel around the country and across the world, we have revised our service level agreements with adjusted turnaround times. Many of our branches remain operational; and cargo and money services remain available,” it said.
Image credits: Ace Morandante/ Malacañang Presidential Photographers Division via AP