Palace hopes other companies to also aid employees amid COVID-19 pandemic

March 19, 2020

Malacanang expressed hope on Thursday that other companies would follow what others did by still providing benefits to their employees who could not report to work due to the enhanced community quarantine being implemented in Luzon, including Metro Manila, due to the coronavirus disease pandemic.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo thanked large companies for heeding the appeal of the government to provide their workers and employees their respective salaries and benefits for the duration of the quarantine without charging them against their leave credits.

Among the business entities were the  Aboitiz Group of Companies, Asian/Terminal Hotel, Ayala Group of Companies, JG Summit/Gokongwei Group of Companies, Jollibee Group of Companies, Lucio Tan Group of Companies, Manuel V. Pangilinan Group of Companies, SMC Group of Companies and SM Group of Companies. 

"There are also those companies which would do their share in alleviating and responding to the needs of the daily wage earners and regular employees but would not want to identify themselves and will do it discreetly. To them our commendation," Panelo said.

"Given that the Palace considers this current situation as a time for solidarity, it also appreciates most of these companies for stepping up to the challenge through their significant donations to various entities which are at the front of this battle. We can only hope that other businesses will follow suit within their means," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has appealed to the private sector to also release earlier prorated 13th month pay to the workers. 

Malacanang also acknowledged some business groups for their contributions, such as Metrobank and GT Capital Holdings Group for pledging ₱200 million for the production of more coronavirus test kits, tycoon Andrew Tan and the Alliance Global Group for pledging 1 million liters of ethyl alcohol to the Department of Health (DOH) and other government enforcement agencies, the Belo Medical Group for donating its remaining stocks of PPE in its clinics to hospitals and health centers, and Dennis Uy's Udenna Corp. for working to deliver 1,000 diagnostic kits to the DOH, and the Villar Group of Companies for donating the first batch of disinfecting apparatus to nine government hospitals in Metro Manila and 200,000 face masks and daily supply of bottled drinking water to the government through DOH.

The Palace also joined the Department of Transportation for the assistance of various bus companies in ferrying health workers and other stranded passengers.

These include the Ceres of Yanson Group of Companies, HM Transit, San Agustin, MetroExpress, RRCG, Precious Grace, Jac Liner, St. Rose, and automotive company Foton, as well as Avis Philippines, Westcapboa, West Cavite Philippine Bus Operators Association, and Jasper Jean, among others.

"The Palace is aware that there are more companies and persons offering their resources and services to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and they too deserve kudos for such selfless acts. As for our countrymen who remain at home and faithfully follow the protocols set by the government, your patience and obedience are equally appreciated as the same are the keys to the successful containment and eradication of COVID-19 in the Philippines," Panelo said. 

Panelo said the Palace also extends its utmost gratitude to the health care and service providers, law enforcement agents, as well as the people in the frontline of the country's battle against the COVID-19.

"Their sacrifices during this period are invaluable, and the services they are tirelessly rendering for the nation will forever be remembered. The Office of the President will continue rallying behind -- and giving the necessary support in favor of -- these heroic men and women until we defeat this pandemic," he said.

"In the past, the indomitable spirit of the Filipinos has triumphed over national calamities and adversities. We are once again called to unify as a people to prevail over this dreaded disease," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS