OCD gets 45 respiratory aid devices from SMC

June 9, 2020

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) received 45 AIRVO 2 high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) donated by San Miguel Corp. (SMC) on Monday.

Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad, the OCD administrator, said the high flow nasal cannula is used for supplemental oxygen therapy to people in respiratory distress.

Jalad said SMC Vice President for Corporate Affairs Kin Lichauco and SMC Vice President for Procurement Rose Liaoanag handed over the donation to NTF Chair and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a turnover ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo.

Other government officials present were NTF Chief Implementer and Peace Process Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and NTF Deputy Chief Implementer Vivencio Dizon, Health Undersecretary Gerardo Bayugo, and Office of Civil Defense Director Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV.

Jalad said Lorenzana expressed his gratitude to SMC President Ramon Ang for the continuous support to the country’s response to COVID-19.

Lichauco expressed hope "that the public hospital health system will benefit from these donations."

Jalad said "SMC previously donated numerous Personal Protective Equipment, food items, provided fuel for government’s shuttle services for frontliners, and extended other assistance."

"Moreover, SMC also delivered high flow nasal cannula to Philippine General Hospital on June 3, 2020 while Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Visayas is set to receive HFNC machines. SMC allocated five HFNC machines each for both hospitals," he said.

"OCD will coordinate with the DOH for the dispatch of nasal high flow machines to various hospitals," he added. Robina Asido/DMS