ILOILO City – Citing the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, AC Energy Philippines remains committed to sustain its assistance to families affected by the recent oil spill in the waters off this city and Guimaras Island even after completing their community reintegration.
A private aircraft owned by the business conglomerate landed in the city recently, bringing in food packs and relief goods for families in Lapuz district, one of the areas severely affected by the July 3 oil spill.
Its other affiliates like Ayala Foundation, Ayala Coop, Rise Against Hunger, and Ayala Business Club also contributed.
AC Energy Philippines turned over 1,500 Fortified Meal Packs for rapid distribution to the residents of Barangay Bo. Obrero in Lapuz district and those in Manduriao and Jaro districts.
Each Fortified Meal Pack contained rice, soy, dried vegetables and fruits enriched with vitamins and minerals, and enough to feed a family of eight to 12 members.
Aside from the tons of relief goods, Ayala companies also gave out boxes of facemasks for the residents.
Helping in the unloading of the cargo were members of the Philippine Air Force, the 52nd Air Force Group Reserve and TOG-6.
The boxes were carefully disinfected upon discharge to make sure they were free from the coronavirus.
AC Energy Philippines owned Power Barge 102 that accidentally spilled bunker fuel into the coast of Iloilo City affecting several barangays, as well as coastal parts of Iloilo province and Guimaras.
The oil spill was preceded by an explosion of still unknown origin.
The power firm immediately acted to help the affected families, setting in motion their community reintegration while also distributing thousands of food packs.
“We are grateful to the Ayala group and the Philippine Air Force for their support that allowed us to continue to support the needs of the affected communities. Ayala Foundation and Ayala Coop donated the meal packs from Rise Against Hunger Philippines, a hunger relief non-profit organization that coordinates the packaging and distribution of food and other aid to vulnerable communities,” AC Energy Philippines said in a statement.
The donated boxes were flown in by the Philippine Air Force while the other Ayala business units, namely, Ayala Business Club, Seda Hotels, Globe Telecom and AC Motors, provided logistical support.
Mayor Jerry Treñas welcomed AC Energy Philippines’ continued help.
“They are taking care our evacuees very well,” said Treñas in a recent press conference.
The city mayor revealed that the Ayala conglomerate has expressed intention to carry out more projects such as helping repair public schools and introducing education programs in oil-spill affected barangays.
In Lapuz, Treñas said, the company was also eyeing to fix roads in barangays Bo. Obrero and Mansaya.
“I am satisfied with what they are doing,” said Treñas.
According to the mayor, he was pleasantly surprised that AC Energy Philippines housed in several hotels the families displaced by the oil spill to address problems in schools that were initially used as evacuation centers.
Treñas said the city government is ready to forego legal action against the company “kun masabat man lang tanan nga requirements sang pumoluyo ta.”/PN
