MANILA, Philippines, January 13, 2020 ⁠— Tulong Kapatid, the consortium of companies and foundations of businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, has mobilized relief efforts in the wake of the recent eruption of Taal Volcano. Aid in the form of power, water, communication, food and relief packs are being deployed to affected communities.

Power and water supply

One Meralco Foundation, the social development arm and corporate foundation of Meralco, has set-up solar mobile charging stations at evacuation centers within the vicinity of Taal Volcano. The service is initially available at the evacuation center in Alfonso Cavite.

Meralco, in coordination with the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), will provide gensets to various organizations and evacuation centers. Manpower for the operation of these gensets will also be provided by Meralco. PDRF also helped in the provision of face masks.

The power distribution network of Meralco in the affected areas is operating normally, except in parts of Tagaytay City and Canlubang.

Libreng Charging services will also be available at the PLDT Tagaytay Office located at Gen. Aguinaldo Highway, Brgy. Kaybagal South, Tagaytay City.

Maynilad is working with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to deploy 13 water tankers for the needs of affected communities. Maynilad, in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), is providing 2,000 6-liter bottles, while the Makati Medical Center Foundation is supplying  2,400 bottles of mineral water in partnership with Le Minerale to affected residents.

Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) has likewise mobilized its teams to aid in clearing operations. It is currently providing water for windshields of affected CALAX motorists. MPTC is also clearing ashfall at carriageways to ensure safe passage of all vehicles. MPTC will also mobilize relief efforts to affected communities.

Communication as aid

PLDT and subsidiary Smart Communications have provided communication support and load credits to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) volunteers to help facilitate the evacuation, rescue and relief of affected Batangas residents.  PLDT and Smart are also coordinating with the Philippine Red Cross and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) for the same purpose.

The communication services of PLDT and Smart are operating normally in affected areas, except for those that are experiencing commercial power outages.

Free meals, relief packs and nebulization at affected communities

The Alagang Kapatid Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) and Cignal TV employees will deploy a Foton first-responder food truck to serve hot meals at evacuation centers. The food truck will be stationed at affected areas in Tagaytay, Laurel Batangas and Mabini Batangas.

The truck will likewise provide free nebulization services from volunteer doctors and nurses of the Makati Medical Center Foundation. 

Care packs will also be distributed to evacuation centers. Makati Medical Center Foundation will provide 8,000 pieces of face masks and 1,500 psycho-social first aid kits in partnership with My Dream in a Shoebox Project. The PSF will also provide relief goods to affected families and hygiene kits and protector masks to emergency responders teams for use during their response efforts.

The Metro Pacific Investments Foundation, on the other hand, will provide care packs containing 1,000 blankets, 1,000 mats and 1,500 shirts for both children and adults.