MANILA - Lucio Tan's LT Group and Dennis Uy's Udenna Corp on Thursday joined relief efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic, donating medical supplies to the government and frontline health workers.
Uy's Udenna Foundation, in cooperation with South Korea's MyongJi Hospital donated 1,000 COVID-19 diagnostic kits to the Department of Health last March 13, it said Thursday.
Testing is an effective preemptive measure to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Udenna Foundation said. The Philippines currently has a limited supply of testing kits.
"We all have a role, and this is our small share to help," said Udenna chairman Uy.
Tan's LT Group donated 404 4-liter bottles of ethyl alcohol, 70,000 bottles of drinking water at 350ml each, 3,000 6-liter bottles of distilled drinking water, and 2,000 pieces N95 masks to the Department of Health, according to a stock exchange disclosure.
LT Group said it also donated vitamin C, alcohol and drinking water to troops manning border patrols and several hospitals, it said.
Tanduay Distillers and Asia Brewery produced an initial batch of ethyl alcohol in just 4 days upon the request of Lucio Tan, according to his son, LT Group president Michael Tan.
The government has recommended the use of alcohol and frequent hand washing as protection against COVID-19. Frontline health workers and those showing symptoms are encouraged to wear masks.
San Miguel Corp, Ayala Corp, JG Summit, the SM Group, Jollibee Foods Corp, Alliance Global, and GT Capital are among those who pledged cash and donations to support the fight against COVID-19.
The Palace on Thursday extended its gratitude to frontline workers and the private sector for their efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Their sacrifices during this period are invaluable, and the services they are tirelessly rendering for the nation will forever be remembered," Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
Panelo said the Palace, along with the Labor Department, commended companies for providing employees with salaries and benefits covering the entire duration of the Luzon-wide lockdown.
The Office of the President also recognized the efforts of transport groups and automotive companies for offering buses to ferry health workers and people exempted from the ban for free, he said.
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