Tulong Kapatid, MPIF Commits Aid to Batangas Tourism Workers

Makati, Philippines, 12th June 2020 – Tulong Kapatid, the alliance of Foundations and companies under the Manuel V. Pangilinan group, provided relief assistance to local tourism workers in the province of Batangas as part of their nationwide campaign against the CoViD-19 pandemic.

Metro Pacific Investments Foundation (MPIF), Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. (AKFI), and One Meralco Foundation (OMF) partnered with the Resort Owners Association of Mabini (ROAM) to distribute around 500 relief packs containing rice, canned goods, fresh vegetables, and Clusivol packs to ROAM’s member resorts and other tourism workers. 

The distribution targeted heads of families working in the resort and tourism industry as resort staff, boatmen, dive professionals and massage therapists who have lost their primary source of income due to the restrictions brought upon by enforced community quarantines. This also marked the ceremonial launch of OPLANILAO, MPIF’s upcoming program that commits aid to members of the tourism and coastal resource management (CRM) sector in Batangas. 

“MPIF has been proactive in the coastal and marine preservation of the Municipality of Mabini with buoy installations and it’s coral laboratory since it has been home to our Shore It Up! program from the beginning,” says MPIF President Melody del Rosario. “Our Chairman, Manuel V. Pangilinan, is very supportive and always ready to extend help where it is needed, especially to communities that have been part of our growth as a Foundation.”

“Our province relies on tourism as one of its primary sources of income and most of the tourism workers are now suffering in the pandemic,” says ROAM President Jake Calangi. “MPIF has always been supportive in our endeavors and we are grateful that they are always willing to provide a helping hand. Nakikita at nararamdaman ang tunay na kapatid sa oras ng pangangailangan.”

Another starter program was held last June 17, where MPIF oriented 60 TESDA-accredited wellness therapists on the formation of their own local cooperative. Relief packs and vitamins were likewise distributed to them. 

Through OPLANILAO, MPIF is committing a budget for short-term and long-term projects to help support qualified beneficiaries and alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their livelihoods. The program will further extend its reach through implementing alternative livelihood and cash-for-work projects for these beneficiaries while establishments remain closed or partially operational amidst the pandemic. 

With the uncertainty brought upon by the pandemic, Tulong Kapatid has set its goals on helping fellow Filipinos remain steadfast in facing the new normal. The group enjoins all that are capable to embody the value of bayanihan and encourage the Filipino spirit of resilience.

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For further information, please contact:

Melody del Rosario

VP – Public Relations and Corporate Communications, MPIC

09189635639