BUSINESS leader and philanthropist Irineo “Bong” Alvaro, Jr. has issued a call for “all hands on deck” to both the public and private sectors in Pampanga in mitigating the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in the province.

“We need everybody’s help if we are to lessen the infections and reduce the impact of the deadly virus on our people and the economy of Pampanga. We only have one enemy, the corona virus,” Alvaro said.

He also called on bickering groups, especially the local government of Angeles City and the Philippine Rehabilitation Institute (PRI), to set aside their differences and move on with their respective efforts to combat Covid-19.

The Angeles City LGU and PRI is currently engaged in a word war over social media because of alleged violations of protocol imposed by the city in the admittance of Covid infected patients.

To set the example, Alvaro has mobilized the Bridges of Benevolent Initiatives Foundation of the BB International (BBI), which he heads, in cooperation with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), for a multi-million peso Covid-19 assistance program. The program includes the donation of three ventilators to three local hospitals, personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies for frontliners, and assistance to affected workers of the BBI group.

The foundation also gave out 160 50-kilo bags of rice to indigent families.

Alvaro’s business allies, including DM Prime Holdings of young entrepreneur Jeff del Mundo, are also engaged in separate projects and activities in helping prevent infections and softening the impact of the disease on the community. Del Mundo converted his mechanics on wheels (MoW) into help on wheels (HoW), which is helping deliver relief goods, face masks and other PPEs to distressed communities and frontliners.

Del Mundo’s employees are also making hand-made face masks and protective cover which are donated to medical workers and those manning checkpoints.

PBO Global, a business outsourcing company headed by Alvaro’s son Karlo, has distributed vitamin C capsules to boost the immune system of frontliners.

Likewise, Alvaro said the Clark Investors and Locators Association (CILA) has also mobilized its members for various anti-Covid-19 efforts. Starting Monday, April 6, CILA will put up an alcohol refilling station at its office in Clark. The group has also donated assorted PPEs to the Jose B. Lingad General Hospital in San Fernando, including plastic rolls that could be used to isolate Covid positive patients.

Individual member companies of CILA are also manufacturing and sewing face masks for use of frontliners.

Alvaro is chairman of CILA and country ambassador of the World Medical Relief Inc.

“There should be no competition, no oneupmanship in this battle. We can only win and heal if we fight as one,” Alvaro said. (Chris Navarro)