Big business groups vow to give uninterrupted services during enhanced quarantine

Philippine businesses have assured the public of uninterrupted services in critical areas, given the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

Starting 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, the entire Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine, restricting travel within the region in efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Ayala Group

The Ayala Group, the country's oldest conglomerate, said it will continue to provide its services during the month-long quarantine.

"In support of the government's implementation of the enhanced community quarantine, we assure the public that all the necessary measures are being implemented to ensure uninterrupted services in critical areas," said Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chief executive officer at Ayala Corp. (AC).

The Ayala Group covers businesses such as Globe Telecom Inc., Manila Water Company Inc., the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), the Generika Drugstore, and FamilyDoc, among others.

"We have already implemented various flexible work arrangements for our workforce as well as with employers of our service partners to ensure the continued delivery of these critical services and support our customers in these challenging times," said Zobel de Ayala.

MVP Group

Headed by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, the MVP group also made similar announcements.

Heeding the President’s call tonight for business - large or small - to rise to the challenge posed by Covid 19, the MVP Group is one with the President in coping with this virus. We are helping our employees by maintaining their salaries and benefits during the crisis.

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) March 16, 2020

"Heeding the President’s call tonight for business — large or small — to rise to the challenge posed by Covid 19, the MVP Group is one with the President in coping with this virus. We are helping our employees by maintaining their salaries and benefits during the crisis," Pangilinan said in a post on his official Twitter account.

Pangilinan said the group has arranged flexible work agreements with its employees, and will provide relevant financing if needed.

We have asked them to Work from Home. We continue to serve our customers with the service they need at this time, including the provision of relevant financing, when required.

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) March 16, 2020

The MVP Group includes PLDT Inc., Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Maynilad Water Holding Companty Inc., Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., and Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc., among others.

In particular, our Hospitals Group are doing its best to cope with the rising traffic of PUIs and those confirmed positive with the virus, by sending our frontline health workers in needed areas, and importing face masks and PPEs.

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) March 16, 2020

 Villar Group of Companies

Led by businessman Manuel "Manny" Villar, Jr., the Villar Group also assured its clients that its operations will continue amid the enhanced community quarantine.

"(We are) undertaking the necessary protocols and measures to ensure the safety of all our stakeholders as well as the communities that we serve. Our lines of communication will remain open and accessible," it said in a statement through Vista Land.

"We are confident that we will overcome these trying times through our resilience and unity as a nation," it added.

Aside from Vista Land, the Villar Group also includes the brands PrimeWater, Planet, All Day Supermarket, Lessandra, and Crystal Clear.

San Miguel Corp. (SMC)

Another diversified conglomerate, San Miguel Corp., has also assured the public of its continuous operations to ensure adequate food supply during the quarantine.

"This isn’t about making profits. We have a responsibility to make sure that food is made available to as many people as possible," Ramon Ang, president and chief operating officer at SMC, said in a statement.

SMC, through its food brand San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc., carries the brands Magnolia, Monterey, and Purefoods, among others.

The company's portfolio also includes Petron Corp., power generation firm Global Power Holdings Corp., and SMC Infrastructure.

"We will provide essential services such as food, water, power, petrol products, and beverages to everyone," said Ang.

SM Group

The SM Group, headed by the Sy family, has since pledged P100 million for efforts to combat and contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

In a statement, the SM Group said the amount will be for personal protective equipment (PPEs), test kits, alcohol, and other medical supplies needed by frontliners.

"As there is a local shortage of personal protective equipment — face masks, gowns, visors, hoods, gloves, and shoe covers, SM is bringing these PPEs in for government hospitals who badly need them," the conglomerate said.

The SM Group is involved in banking (BDO Unibank Inc. and China Banking Corp.); retail (SM Supermalls, SaveMore, Walter Mart, Alfamart); property (SM Prime Holdings Inc. and SM Development Corp.).

"To provide PPEs and medical supplies to an even wider network of hospitals, SM has also been working actively with UP Medical Foundation Inc. to reach their network of hospitals," it said.

For its part, the Philippine economic team has rolled out a P27.1-billion package which will finance efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, and provide economic relef to businesses and livelihood affected.

The Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday that there was now a sustained community transmission of the COVID-19 in the Philippines.

The country had 142 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Monday night, and 12 deaths from the illness. —KG, GMA News