AS PART of the ongoing #RebuildCebu campaign of the Aboitiz Group, Aboitiz Foundation Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, together with Pilmico, the group’s food and agribusiness subsidiary, and Aboitiz Power’s Visayan Electric partnered with Rafi Microfinance Inc. (MFI) to help rebuild Cebu through its project “Padayon sa Pagbugsay” (paddle unceasingly) rolled out last July 21-22, 2022.
The event held in the Municipality of Liloan and Carcar City will benefit beneficiaries coming from different municipalities in Cebu which include Argao, Carcar City, Compostela, Liloan, Naga City, Sibonga, San Fernando, and Catigbian, Dimiao and Sikatuna in Bohol.
Aboitiz donated three types of livelihood kits.
Project Bacon is a donation of high-breed gilts, Project Omelette is an egg-laying machine with ready-to-lay hens and Project Farina is a bakery starter kit, all of which will enable the beneficiaries to sustain their livelihood through an easy-to-manage business with a quick return on investment.
“We in Aboitiz Foundation try our best to help Typhoon Odette affected areas. We want to see the communities rise from the aftermath of this disaster. Our goal is to help them recover and become more resilient communities. We thank our local partners, the Aboitiz business units, who came together to extend valuable assistance,” said Maribeth L. Marasigan, Aboitiz Foundation president and COO.
The livelihood beneficiaries are community group leaders and small business owners directly affected during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette last December. Through Rafi-MFI, a total of 23 kits were donated.
“This is the start of our rebuilding, which includes rebuilding our businesses and rebuilding our lives, not just ours, but our families and communities where we belong. This project is not only for us, this is also for our neighbors, our community, our children, and other members of our community. These livelihood kits, which I am thankful for, would not be possible without our partners. We have our grantors who unselfishly provided us with the help as we rebuild Cebu,” said Iris Dorado, Business Development vice president of Rafi-MFI.
In addition to livelihood kits, the beneficiaries will also receive one cycle of feeds and flour and technical assistance from Pilmico.
“In Pilmico, we can always guarantee that there will be someone who will assist and guide you on how to manage your business. You may reach us through our technicians if you have any difficulties or challenges. This is a service we provide for free to our beneficiaries,” said Greg Canoy, Pilmico Corporate Social Responsibility specialist.
Visayan Electric, on the other hand, continues its support in the typhoon-stricken Cebu by providing additional egg-laying machines in Carcar.
"Typhoon Odette devastated infrastructure and livelihoods in the Visayan Electric franchise and in Cebu in general. But we bounced back after a lot of hard work and dedication. The livelihood kits that we are giving to deserving beneficiaries is our way of showing that we care about our community and that we also want to help them rebuild their lives," said Engr. Raul C. Lucero, Veco president and COO.
Aside from the livelihood kits, the Aboitiz Group’s #RebuildCebu also provided 60 motorized bancas for fishermen in the municipality of Liloan and Talisay City.
Aboitiz will also turn over 43 classrooms damaged by Typhoon Odette in Lapu-Lapu and Talisay before the start of face-to-face classes this school year. (PR)