One Meralco Foundation Extends Aid To Super Typhoon Carina Victims

In the wake of Super Typhoon Carina (international name Gaemi) and the southwest monsoon or Habagat, One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate social responsibility arm of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), swiftly mobilized to provide crucial relief to affected families.

Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gatchalian (center, wearing blue) expresses gratitude to Meralco and One Meralco Foundation for their significant contributions to the relief operations benefiting Valenzuelanos affected by Super Typhoon Carina. | Photos: OMF

The storm’s destructive impact was felt across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, prompting immediate action from OMF.

Thousands of relief packs containing essential goods were distributed as emergency aid to those impacted by the heavy rains and floods. Meralco employee-volunteers played a vital role in these efforts, dedicating their time to repacking goods and preparing relief bags.

Within hours, OMF handed over these relief packs to the Pasig City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) for distribution to families in urgent need.

The relief efforts continued the next day, with OMF and volunteers from Meralco Roosevelt Business Center and the Meralco Rescue Team distributing aid to hundreds of families in Barangay Sto. Domingo and Barangay Tatalon.

These families, displaced by deep floods, had taken temporary shelter at the UST-Angelicum College gymnasium.

In Barangay Sto. Domingo in Cainta, Rizal, where floodwaters reached the second floors of homes, OMF, along with volunteers from Meralco Cainta Business Center and the Meralco Rescue Team, also provided much-needed relief packs to survivors.

Onyok Sumambong, one of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude, saying, "Malaking tulong itong bigay ng One Meralco Foundation. Maraming, maraming salamat po sa biyaya na bigay ninyo sa main."

His home was inundated, and floodwaters swept away many of his precious belongings, including his carpentry tools, which are vital for his livelihood.

OMF extended support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Command, who distributed relief packs to hundreds of families affected by the torrential rains and floods in Katipunan Village, Rodriguez, Rizal.

BGEN Vicente M. Ronatay, Commander of the AFP Reserve Command, acknowledged the timely assistance, stating, "Napasaya natin ang mga taga-Rodriguez lalo't isa tayo sa mga unang nakapagpaabot ng tulong sa kanila. Salamat, Meralco, sa inyong tulong sa komunidad."

In addition, Meralco, OMF, and Miescor Logistics Inc. turned over 1,000 relief packs to the local government of Valenzuela City, led by Mayor Wes Gatchalian. OMF also distributed relief packs to residents of Barangay Tinajeros, Malabon City, and Barangay Tabing Ilog in Marilao, Bulacan.

To further aid in relief efforts, Meralco employees donated funds to provide more relief packs to calamity survivors. OMF plans to distribute thousands more relief packs to communities in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

Jeffrey O. Tarayao, President of One Meralco Foundation, emphasized the collaborative effort, saying, "With the spirit of bayanihan and malasakit, we are hopeful that our kababayan can rise from this calamity in the quickest possible time."