Gokongwei group readies P100 million fund to help in COVID-19 fight
| ABS-CBN News https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/03/18/20/gokongwei-group-readies-p100-million-fund-to-help-in-covid-19-fight?fbclid=IwAR3zf8HQZMPJ3USYMxD-sOEfbCBDM_RLYh_DIimUsRmdyydIZBjXowPbuZE

MANILA - The Gokongwei group said it allotted P100 million to support health workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

The money will be allocated to hospitals fighting the disease and communities where the conglomerate's businesses operate, the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation said in a statement.

Personal protective equipment such as surgical masks for health care frontlines and rapid test kits will be provided, it said. It also identified the UP Medical Foundation and the PGH Medical Foundation Inc as among its "priority list."

Subsidiaries of the Gokongwei group have also announced efforts to extend assistance to various stakeholders, it said. Food manufacturing arm URC will be donating basic necessities such as coffee, crackers, cup noodles, bottled water and Vitasoy drinks to health workers, it said. 

Robinsons Land Corp will waive rental charges for non-operational tenants during mall closures due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The rent condonation will help tenants reallocate funds to affected employees, it said.

Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc, through its retail stores, supermarkets, convenience stores and drugstores, have been operating continuously to serve the public while Robinsons Bank eased payment due dates for various loan products, it said.

Cebu Pacific gave affected passengers a chance to rebook their flights or place ticket costs in a travel fund, the Gokongwei group said. 

The SM group earlier announced P100 million in aid for public hospitals. Tycoon Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corp is seeking government approval to distribute disinfectant made from one of its plants.