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Bayanihan Spirit Inspires Relief Efforts for Mindanao Earthquake Victims

The Gokongwei Group’s employees do their part to help their brothers and sisters in need
by The JG Summit Team | Nov 6, 2019
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Last month, a series of strong earthquakes in the southern province of Mindanao claimed the lives of 22 people, left more than 400 injured, and destroyed the homes of more than 37,000 families. Based on these figures, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council estimates that 188,533 people residing in 238 barangays have been affected by the natural calamity. Other government reports state that the earthquakes which hit separately on October 16, 29, and 31 also destroyed more than 180 classrooms—adversely affecting the education of thousands of children.

In light of this emerging humanitarian crisis, the management and employees of JG Summit Holdings could not just sit idly on the sidelines. A few days after the last tremor, the conglomerate’s different business units mobilized their staff to take part in earthquake relief efforts and to raise donations for the victims. “We make life better for every Filipino,” reads the mission statement of the conglomerate, and its employees sought to fulfill that by demonstrating the traditional bayanihan spirit—a community working together towards a common goal—in this case, helping their brothers and sisters in the south during their moment of need.    


Volunteers from Robinsons Supermarket and URC Flour and Pasta division packing relief goods in Davao City.

An initial seed donation of P2 million pesos courtesy of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) jumpstarted the conglomerate’s efforts to aid the victims.

Grace Colet, GBF executive director, said the foundation kick-started the aid efforts within the Gokongwei Group because it has always believed in the power of collaboration and synergy towards a goal for the common good. “It is truly heartwarming to see the bayanihan spirit alive in the group and impact lives,” said Colet.

The relief efforts began with employees of Robinsons Supermarket and URC Flour Division in Davao City helping with the repacking of emergency relief goods for distribution to families living in areas severely affected by the earthquakes.

The volunteers, composed of employees from Robinsons Supermarket Cybergate, Robinsons Supermarket Abreeza, and URC Flour and Pasta Division's plant in Sasa, Davao, were aided by student volunteers who joined the packing operations at the Abreeza Mall.

Jody Gadia, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI) Supermarket Segment Managing Director, said the need to assist our countrymen in Mindanao galvanized the company's employees to volunteer their time at a moment’s notice over the weekend. “The spirit of bayanihan was evident with different groups working together for a common purpose. It is truly gratifying to see our employees willingly doing their share for this worthy cause.”

The repacking operations were supervised by Joseph Castro Gravidez, operations manager of Robinsons Supermarket, together with URC’s Flour and Pasta Division HR head Gemma Tacata and Jen Camacho. The volunteers prepared relief packs consisting of rice, Refresh mineral water, Robinsons Supermarket bottled water, URC sugar, Great Taste coffee, Blend 45 coffee, Payless instant noodles, Nissin cup noodles, Magic Flakes crackers, Cream-O biscuits, and Presto biscuits.


The volunteers prepared 10,000 emergency food packs for distribution in earthquake-hit areas of Mindanao.

Working in 24-hour shifts, the volunteers were able to prepare 10,000 emergency food packs, which were immediately transported via URC trucks to the headquarters of Task Force Davao, based in Davao City’s Sta. Ana Wharf. The donations were turned over to Col. Consolito Yecla, commander of Task Force Davao.

Additionally, through Cebu Pacific, the conglomerate is making use of its extensive domestic route network by joining forces with various organizations and entities to provide airlift support for relief supplies. To date, CEB has shipped over 109 tons of cargo with an airfreight worth of PHP7.8 million at no cost to any of the donors or organizations. The free air cargo includes drinking water, food packs, clothing, tents, and other supplies.


Cebu Pacific has shipped over 109 tons of cargo at no cost to any of the donors or organizations.

CEB has been using its aircraft and route network as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts for humanitarian assistance and disaster response. It has also committed free flights to bona fide relief and medical workers as part of its response to calls from the government to support the deployment of personnel involved in humanitarian aid.

Organized by the City Government of Davao led by Mayor Sarah Duterte, the relief and distribution operations for earthquake affected areas of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato are ongoing. 

To continue this bayanihan spirit, donations to the ongoing earthquake relief efforts can be made in cash or in kind.

For cash donations, kindly deposit into the following Robinsons Bank account:

Account name: R Love for GBF

Account number: CA 100-23-017606-7

For donations in kind, the following are needed at the moment: rice, canned goods, coffee, biscuits, noodles, water, tents or tarpaulin, beddings, banig, malongs, blankets, mosquito nets, toiletries, new underwear, and basic medicines. These can be coursed through JG Summit Holdings c/o Corporate Affairs, 40/F Robinsons Equitable Tower, ADB Avenue corner Poveda Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

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