BPI Foundation, Ayala Foundation provide aid to Taal evacuees

BPI Foundation, the social development arm of BPI, in collaboration with Ayala Foundation, Inc., the social development arm of the Ayala Group of companies, provided badly needed food and hygiene kits to evacuees greatly affected by the Taal Volcano’s recent rumblings. 

“We are in unprecedented and unexpectedly dire times and keeping our bayanihan spirit alive remains paramount,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo. “Rest assured that we will continue to extend as much help as we can to our fellow Filipinos in need.”

Divina Kasitu, one of the evacuees in Agoncillo, Batangas, expressed her worry over all her belongings that were left behind. “Nangangamba kami kung hanggang kailan kami nandito sa evacuation center. Ang hanapbuhay namin ay natigil din sa ngayon (We are worried about how long we will be here in the evacuation center. Our business is also at a standstill right now),” she said.

As part of the BPI BAYANihan program and #BrigadangAyala, the Ayala Group’s united contribution to serving people and communities nationwide, a total of 410 relief packs, containing food and hygiene kits, were donated by BPI Foundation to families in various evacuation centers in Agoncillo, Batangas. These were transported and distributed on-site by the Ayala Foundation.

“Maraming salamat sa tulong na inyong inabot sa amin. Salamat din dahil hindi niyo kami pinabayaan sa panahong ito (Thank you so much for the help you have extended to us. Thank you also for not leaving us alone during this difficult time),” Divina added.

In April, BPI Foundation, together with the Philippine Disaster Risk Foundation (PDRF), also kicked off the construction of the BPI Bayanihan Center, a two-storey 506-square meter multi-purpose facility in Brgy. Malainin, Ibaan, Batangas City for people burdened by disasters and pandemics. The facility will be built to withstand hazards in the locality and accommodate approximately 300 people, and is expected to be completed in November.

To know more about BPI Foundation, follow its Facebook and Instagram pages and visit www.bpifoundation.org.