AC Energy pours in help to Iloilo City

AC Energy and its affiliates under the Ayala Group continue to bring in help for victims of the oil spill in Iloilo City amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A private aircraft owned by the Ayala conglomerate landed in the city recently to bring in parcels of food packs and relief goods courtesy of AC Energy, Ayala Foundation, Ayala Coop, Rise Against Hunger, and Ayala Business Club.

The assistance were given to families in Lapuz, one of the areas severely affected by the oil spill last July 3, 2020.

The company turned over 1,500 Fortified Meal Packs to the barangay for rapid distribution to the affected residents of Bo. Obrero, Mansaya, and Loboc.

Each fortified meal pack is composed of rice, soy, dried vegetables and fruits enriched with vitamins and minerals. A pack can feed a family of 8 to 12 members.

Aside from the tons of relief goods, Ayala companies also gave out face masks to the residents.

Helping in the unloading of the cargo were members of the Philippine Air Force, the 52nd Air Force Group Reserve and the Tactical Operations Group (TOG)-6. The boxes were then carefully disinfected upon discharge to make sure they are free from the coronavirus.

AC Energy Philippines owns Power Barge 102 that accidentally exploded due to still unknown causes, spilling bunker fuel into the coast of Iloilo City and affected several barangays in the city as well as some coastal parts of Iloilo province and Guimaras.

The power firm immediately acted to help the affected families, setting in motion the community reintegration of affected families while also distributing thousands of food packs to those displaced by the incident.

“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. 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,” AC Energy Philippines said in a statement.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas lauded AC Energy and Ayala Group for taking care of the affected communities.

Treñas said the group promised to help even after the oil spill, particularly in education and infrastructure.

“I think they are taking care very well of their evacuees. Ang akon concern lang kay wala sila (evacuees) higdaan. To solve the problem, they were accommodated in hotels. I think one of the conglomerates which take care of their people and those affected by their businesses is Ayala and I am satisfied with what they are doing,” he added.