Pilmico mobilized 30-day food distribution for COVID-19 frontliners
Helps sustain livelihood of local bakers
Pilmico began its 30-day distribution of food to critical sectors such as hospitals and military checkpoints in Iligan and Tarlac cities to aid frontliners who are fighting the COVID-19 crisis
The first batch of donations was turned over last March 21 by team members of Pilmico Foods Corporation, the food business unit of the Aboitiz Group. The team visited hospitals and checkpoints on two simultaneous distribution activities in Tarlac City and Iligan City.
“Every day, as the uncertainty associated with the threat of COVID-19 grows, those of us in a position to help, have an obligation to do so… It is these moments when our mission to help advance the communities we operate in matters the most,” said Tristan Aboitiz, Pilmico President and CEO.
Aboitiz also noted: “In an effort to provide a measure of relief to the communities around us who are affected by this crisis and the frontliners who secure our safety, over the coming days, Pilmico will continue distributing food and medical supplies such as N95 masks, surgical masks and 70% ethyl alcohol.”
The bread donations are sourced from Pilmico partner bakeries under its Kutitap Feeding Program to help funnel income to local bakers amid the enhanced community quarantine.
Kutitap is Pilmico’s feeding program that addresses malnutrition among students while providing an additional source of income for partner bakeries.
Assistance in Tarlac City
In coordination with the Tarlac Capitol – Incident Command Center and the Tarlac Provincial Police Office, Pilmico distributed an initial donation of 900 pieces of bread from Norlyn Bakery.
The bread donations were allocated to Tarlac Provincial Hospital, and checkpoints in Aranguren, Bamban, Brgy. Lourdes, Capas, Concepcion, Cristo Rey, Magalang-Concepcion Road, and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
“We feel honored that Pilmico chose our products for the frontliners who are now the new heroes facing COVID-19. We are also grateful to be part of the response because the bread production meant continuous work for our employees. Maraming salamat po (Thank you very much.),” said Normelinda Chavez of Norlyn’s Bakery.
Pilmico team members with Police Major Jim Tayag of Tarlac Provincial Police Department during the first day of the 30-day bread distribution initiative.
The Tarlac Provincial Anti-COVID-19 Task Force is housed at the Tarlac Capitol Incident Command Center. The center served as the main drop off point for all donations to the Tarlac Provincial Hospital.
Food aid for Iligan City
Pilmico also distributed 900 pieces of bread from four partner bakeries in Iligan City – C&G Bakery, Leyson Bakeshop, Shandy’s Bakeshop, and Mandy’s Bakeshop.
The donations were distributed to Adventist Medical Center, Iligan Medical Center Hospital, Dr. Uy Hospital, and Mercy Community Hospital, as well as the military checkpoints in Buru-un, Ditucalan, and Dalipuga.
“It’s humbling to experience going to these locations and assisting our fellow Filipinos who are battling COVID-19 head-on. It made me realize that at times like this, reaching out and helping people who are greatly in need will always be worth it,” shared Gregory Canoy, Pilmico Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist who aided in the distribution.
At the Buru-un Checkpoint in Buru-Un, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.
Distribution at the Iligan Medical Center Hospital, one of the initial beneficiaries of Pilmico’s 30-day bread distribution in Iligan City.
Since 2013, the Kutitap Feeding Program has been an instrument in addressing malnutrition among pupils from Kinder to Grade 2, while helping local bakery businesses to prosper with increased sales, productivity, and community awareness.
This time around, the Kutitap partner bakers will provide food aid to the COVID-19 frontliners who are risking their own health and lives to help the nation combat the disease.
