PLDT, in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), recently conducted relief efforts in Cagayan where 200 family kits called ‘buckets of love’ from various PBSP donors and partners were distributed.

PLDT and PBSP executives distribute family kits and apples during the relief operations. In photo are, from left: PBSP Luzon Regional Center (Center for Social Development Management) Manager Kristine L. Jimeno-Rivadelo, PLDT ComRel Division Head Katherine P. Diaz De Rivera, and PLDT Cagayan Valley Consumer Experience Zone Head Christopher Elpidio Mandac.

Of these ‘buckets of love,’ 100 family kits were distributed in Brgy. Bagu, Pamplona in Cagayan for the farmers. Another 100 family kits were given to the fisherfolks from Brgy. Caroan, Gonzaga in Cagayan. Both areas were affected by twin typhoons Quiel and Ramon. Moreover, these towns were also deeply devastated by the havoc caused by Super Typhoon Tisoy.  

The ‘buckets of love’ family kits include one-fourth-kilo of iodized salt, a half-kilo of monggo, one-kilo of sugar, a bar of soap, a pail, three cans of sardines, three cans of corned beef, six liters of waters, 10 kilos of rice, 100 grams of coffee, and 480-ml of cooking oil. The three packs of vegetable seeds that were included in the family kits were also distributed to the farmers. Aside from these items, the PLDT Community Relations (ComRel) Division also gave away apples to the families.

Diaz De Rivera and Mandac turn over ‘bundles of love’ to affected families in Cagayan.

PLDT was among the partners and donors of PBSP. PLDT ComRel Division donated 100 ‘buckets of love’ from its PBSP-Motolite Balik-Baterya funds. The PLDT Employees Credit Cooperative, Inc. (PECCI) and the PLDT Fleet Management also gave some donations to the families affected by the typhoons. The PLDT Cagayan Consumer Experience Zone led by Cris Mandac as well as the Task Force Lingkod Cagayan through the support of Cagayan Provincial Governor Manuel Mamba also exerted their best efforts to provide assistance and help to the families and survivors of Typhoons Quiel, Ramon, and Tisoy.

“Our hearts are with the families affected by Typhoons Quiel, Ramon, and Tisoy. Your resilience and bravery are truly inspiring,” PLDT ComRel Division Head Katherine P. Diaz De Rivera said. “May hope, love, and light guide each one of you as you move forward with your lives.”

In photo are the PLDT and PBSP teams, the Task Force Lingkod Cagayan, and Brgy. Bagu officials.

PLDT also distributed 200 blankets and 206 relief packs in three other barangays namely, Brgy. Bangan in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan; Brgy. Balingit and Brgy. Capalalian which are both located in Pamplona, Cagayan. All these barangays were gravely affected by Typhoon Quiel.  

Typhoon Quiel left over P1.8-billion damage in Cagayan, particularly on infrastructure and livelihood. According to the Provincial Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, 16 out of the 28 towns in Cagayan were flooded. This affected almost 39,000 families.