December 30, 2021
Dear Fellow Team Members,
As 2021 comes to a close, allow me to report several updates on our ongoing efforts to rebuild and re-energize Cebu and other affected areas in the aftermath of the terrible destruction caused by Typhoon Odette. The damage has been extremely extensive, leaving more than 4.2 million Filipinos affected, hundreds of power lines collapsed, and countless homes and structures either partially or entirely destroyed. It was a demoralizing catastrophe of epic proportions.
Our team members come first
Our people are and will always be our first priority, and the HR teams have been painstakingly ensuring the safety, recovery, and wellbeing of all our team members. Our Call Tree reported that all 1,467 team members who were affected by the typhoon are safe and accounted for. To help them recover, we had an early release of the December 31 salary payouts to affected team members, distributed in cash for their immediate convenience. Additionally, we allotted calamity assistance amounting to PHP3.2 million for 1,019 team members, 96% of which have already been claimed.
To date, 783 team members have received food packs, and our HR teams will continue to distribute relief packs that include food, water, and medicine in the coming weeks. The ACO-Banilad office opened its doors to allow A-People to
charge their mobile devices or get potable water, and Visayan Electric has done the same at their compound and in compliance with minimum health protocols. We also extended help to our subcontractors with ongoing distribution of a total of 1,576 relief packs.
Visayan Electric re-energizes Cebu
Over 500 linemen were deployed to repair the damage, including those from Visayan Electric and other power companies from around the country. The solidarity and agile teamwork was something to behold as we all banded together to aid Cebu as quickly as possible. Visayan Electric also worked with third parties to provide additional manpower and special equipment to support the efforts of our utility teams. It was not easy but the execution was efficient and the results were positive.
The scope of work required to repair the damage and restore the city is tremendous, and there are many obstacles to hurdle. Broken power poles are difficult and time-consuming to repair or replace, and the debris from collapsed structures and trees makes it even more challenging. We also needed more time to reconnect new lines and test them. Multiply that by the hundreds of downed lines and you have an idea of what we are dealing with.
Thankfully, our power restoration targets appear to be on track. As of this morning, Dec 30, power has been restored to about 26% of our 474,182 customers in the Visayan Electric franchise area, which spans 4 cities and 4 municipalities over a land area of 674 square kilometers, which is slightly larger than Metro Manila. Our teams on the ground are working very hard to hit our 30% customer re-electrification target tomorrow. Our thoughts and support go out to these gallant men and women – our New Frontliners.
#OneAboitiz responds
All SBUs have been doing their part with equal measure and resolve. The Food Group prepared and distributed food packs to 100 team member families. They also provided 6,000 relief packs for families in Bohol, Leyte, Cebu, Negros, Panay, and Caraga; as well as a feeding program for 300 children in Bohol. Our business units have also been distributing food packs to their team members, as well as financial assistance, cash advances, calamity loans, and early salary payouts the day after the typhoon hit.
UnionBank’s resilient digital infrastructure ensured uninterrupted essential services via fully operational branch banking and ATMs, and deployed their Bank on Wheels immediately following the disaster. I want to also give full recognition to the admirable efforts made by CitySavings who had 17 branches and 6 ATMs affected but still continue to serve over 7,000 clients. They have already accounted for and completed their own relief operations for all their affected branch personnel.
Aboitiz Foundation is laser-focused on ongoing relief operations in Cebu, Bohol, Surigao, Misamis, Agusan, and Bukidnon with over 35,000 relief goods, hygiene kits, and shelter repair kits distributed in these 6 areas. 747 families from 6 barangays in Bukidnon were saved and help was also extended to affected Hedcor Bukidnon team members.
The Philippine Army Reserve Command also stepped in and helped the Foundation put together and distribute 3,000 relief packs in Surigao del Norte, and 1,000 food packs were just recently flown into Cebu from Manila by the Philippine Air Force Civil Military Operations Group.
The Foundation will continue to be heavily involved in the rebuilding of these places with particular emphasis on Cebu. Specifics on this will depend on further assessment and their respective LGU’s plans.
Our donation campaign is ongoing and the total relief funds coming from the Foundation amount to PHP15.3 million, and the funds generated from Kinder, bank deposits, and Paypal now amount to PHP15.8 million – thanks to our family and friends, Coca-Cola, SGV & Co., SN Aboitiz Power, UnionBank team members, and 182 individual donors.
#BangonVisMin
It has been an extremely challenging two weeks for all of us, but I am proud of our team members who immediately stepped up to the daunting task of mobilizing immediately to protect our people and all those affected, and to rebuild our devastated cities with not a single moment or resource wasted. This is truly a demonstration of how we should advance communities, especially in the face of destruction.
I ask you all to remain patient, cooperative, and vigilant as we continue to move full steam ahead on our path to rebuilding. But most of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for your valiant acts of courage and love for country. You gave our fellow Visayans the best Christmas gift they could have ever asked for.
Daghang salamat!
#OneAboitiz
Sabin M. Aboitiz
Aboitiz Group President & CEO
