Aboitiz Group targets 200 -million for Yolanda relief

                            
The Aboitiz Group in the Philippines is targeting to raise P200-million for the immediate relief and long -term rehabilitation of areas hit by super typhoon  Yolanda.
  In a statement, Abotiz group President and CEO Erramon I. Aboitiz said the group  has so far raised P95-million  from pledges coming from family members, external donors and compapnies under Aboitiz umbrella.
  A special task force has been created within the Aboitiz Group to consolidate vital resources and donations.
  "We expect more donations to come in from family, friends and the public due to the magnitude of the relief  and rehabilitation  reqired in the affected areas," Aboitiz said.
   In an internal memo to all employees of the group, Aboitiz called for volunteers who are willing to fly to Cebu-- the command center of the relief effort --and eventually to Leyte to help in the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the group. The company will shoulder transportation,board and lodging.
  "Let us draw from our passion to serve and heed this call of action amid this time of crisis", he said.
   Out of the P95-million raised so far, P50 million comes from Aboitiz Foundation, P25-million from Union Bank, P15- million from SN Aboitiz Power and P5-million from mega star Sharon Cuneta.
   In Mindanao,Aboitiz subsidiaries include Davao Light and Cotabato Light, power barge operator Therma Marine, hydropower experts, Hedcor, Therma South, flour and feed miller Pilmico as well as banking subsidiaries Union Bank and City Savings Bank.
    Aboitiz Foundation has been operating a command center in Cebu since Sunday and has targeted to distribute 14,500 relief packs  to the hardest hit areas in Northern Cebu until the end of the week.
     The areas identified were Bogo, San Regimio, Medellin and Bantayan. A separate relief effort will also be organized in Leyte.
      A contingent  of  20 personnel from  the Philippine Navy is accompanying the team for added security.
      The 100 year old company traces its roots in the Visayas where many of its employees also come from.         The company has offered immediate assistance to employees who may have been affected, or may have family members who were affected by Yolanda.
       The group's power business unit, Visayan Electric Company, the second biggest power distributor in the country has also successfully restored 94% of electriccity in its franchise area by working round the clock to fix lines and poles damaged by Yolanda. Sister  company Davao Light has sent additional manpower to further speed up power restortion.
       Individual can help through UnionBank's UShare portal or the Union Bank of the Philippine Account No.10026-1070944. For City Savings Bank, the account No.is 200-20031301.
       The public may also visit www.aboitizfoundation.org and click the "Donate" button.
        Representatives on the field are Sonny Carpio ( +639178011068) and Judd Salas (+639173013469)
        (Mindanao Daily News)