The Ayala group reaffirms its commitment to providing assistance for towns in the province of Batangas severely affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano earlier this year.
In an online gathering, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas officially acknowledged the receipt of donations from the Ayala group, particularly the 10 Kia 2500 vans, which continue to be used for official functions. Channelled through the Provincial Government of Batangas, the vans are now under the care of the following Batangas towns: Taal, Balete, Mataas na Kahoy, Alitagtag, San Nicolas, Talisay, Agoncillo, San Luis, and Lemery.
The vehicles were donated through the efforts of AC Motors, the automotive distribution and retail group of AC Industrials. AC Industrials handles the Ayala group’s investments in industrial technology.
As part of its continuing support for Taal-affected communities in Batangas, the Ayala group also announced that it will provide much-needed support for public school teachers and students who are getting ready for the opening of classes this October.
The Ayala group’s Brigada ng Ayala initiative, which kicks off in October, will distribute health and hygiene packs, as well as provide support for online learning, to public schools nationwide, as a unified response to the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela programs.
In Batangas, 89 DepEd schools all over Batangas will receive learner’s kits for its students, while teachers will receive their “teacher’s kits,” which contains a Globe SIM pack with PhP1,000 allowance for mobile data. Health and hygiene kits called “Ayala EduCare packs,” which contain face masks, rubbing alcohol, a face mask, hand soap, and instructional materials on protecting oneself from COVID-19.
Said Governor Mandanas: “Ayala has been traditionally consistent in its commitment to corporate concern for the good and welfare of the community, always an active part of helping society specially during time of real need. This social conscience has been innate and part of the DNA of Ayala. And we in Batangas are so proud that Ayala has its roots in our province, and Ayala still shelters Batangas in both in good and difficult times. Ayala—Magiting.”
Said Arthur Tan, president of AC Industrials: “AC Industrials—through our automotive and motorcycle distribution and retail group AC Motors—partnered with Kia Motors Global by way of Kia Philippines to donate 10 brand new Kia 2500 light trucks as well as relief goods. With the help of volunteer employees from the Ayala group and our friends from the motoring media—who wholeheartedly decided to join this CSR drive, we distributed the relief goods to evacuation centers in the province, and delivered the Kia K2500 units.”
Said Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan: “The partnership of the Ayala group with the Province of Batangas extends over many years, and we are privileged to continue supporting with the provincial government’s efforts to create productive, creative, self-reliant citizens who are also proud of their Filipino identity. We continue to stand behind every magiting na Batangueño, who stays resilient and hopeful in the face of different challenges.”
Throughout the first quarter of 2020 the Ayala group conducted relief activities in affected areas. Aside from the provision of clean water through Manila Water Company and the restoration of mobile services and setting up of free call stations through Globe Telecom, Ayala distributed hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and food packs to different evacuation centers. In addition, the group organized medical missions through AC Health and also with Ayala Land’s Makati Development Corporation.
Aside from donating vehicles, AC Motors partnered with Ayala Foundation for relief distribution activities in January. A convoy of 30 vehicles, composed of AC Motors employees and volunteers from the motoring media, distributed hygiene kits and sleeping kits to six evacuation centers based in different barangays.