Month: May 2020

Makati, Philippines – May 29, 2020 Ensuring the safety of employees and customers should be the top priority of the private sector as the economy reopens, said Ayala Corporation Chairman & CEO, Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, during the multi-sectoral webinar “Balik Kabuhayan” hosted by Go Negosyo today.

“I don’t think there is ever a perfect time. I think the government did the right thing in forcing a hard quarantine. I think it’s been good for the country. But it’s a balancing act against the need for an economy to come back to life,” Zobel said, urging his fellow business leaders to establish safety protocols as Metro Manila is placed under general community quarantine.

According to Zobel, the private sector has the ability to move quickly and address issues upfront. Hence, he sees the “new normal” as the perfect time to strengthen public–private partnership, which has proven to be very fruitful in the last few months of ECQ.

The Ayala group has contributed close to P6.5 billion in anti-COVID initiatives. Most notable of which is its support to the government-led Taskforce T3, which included the conversion of the World Trade Center into a 502-bed quarantine facility, donation of swabbing booths for all 4 Mega Swabbing Centers, conversion of Qualimed – Sta. Rosa into a COVID-19 referral hospital, and the building of 5 COVID testing facilities in strategic areas in Luzon and Visayas to augment the country’s capacity to trace, test, and treat COVID-19 patients.

Ayala is also a supporter of Project ARK (Antibody Rapid test Kits), a private sector-led initiative that complements the government’s effort to make massive testing accessible at the community level.

Also present in the webinar were Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion, former health secretary Esperanza Cabral, Representative Janette Garin, and Deputy Speaker Sharon Garin. All speakers agreed on the reopening the economy but urged the private sector to take strict safety protocols.

Internally, the Ayala group adopted a healthcare protocol called the 4T Framework for Triage, Testing, Treatment, and Tracking to protect the collective heath of the organization and prepare for the eventual re-entry of its workforce. This framework enables the group to monitor each employee’s risk conditions and health profile, allowing it to extend the necessary healthcare assistance, if and when needed, and to make informed decisions about which work arrangement would be best for a specific individual.

Zobel also noted that this pandemic has made the private and the public sectors realize the importance of strengthening the healthcare industry. As for the Ayala group, the COVID-19 pandemic strengthened AC Health’s commitment to the healthcare space by continuing to invest in capacity and capability building through an integrated healthcare ecosystem with key pillars in pharma, clinics, hospitals, and digital healthcare.

“There is always something to learn from difficult situations, both personal and professional, and we should reflect after this as a community. See where we need to strengthen so we create a society that’s stronger and can face these problems better in the future,” Zobel said.

The Ayala group adopted a 4T Framework for Triage, Testing, Treatment, and Tracking to protect the collective heath of the organization and prepare for the eventual re-entry of its workforce. This framework enables the group to monitor each employee’s risk conditions and health profile, allowing it to extend the necessary healthcare assistance, if and when needed, and to make informed decisions about which work arrangement would be best for a specific individual.

Makati, Philippines – May 29, 2020 The Ayala Group of Companies has released an original song written by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist of the Philippines for Music in 2018, to pay homage to over 18,000 members of its essential workforce.

“We are giving a special tribute to our many fellow Ayala citizens, who continue to provide critical services to our stakeholders amidst COVID-19—those who ensure that our facilities remain safe for our employees, clients, and customers; those who ensure the continuous delivery of essential services through our banks and our power, water, and telco, facilities; and the many others who brave the dangers of the ongoing pandemic as we adapt to this new world,” said Ayala Corporation President & COO Fernando Zobel de Ayala.

Since the pandemic struck the Philippines, essential workers across the group have been selflessly dedicating themselves to serving the needs of the Filipino. AC Health’s medical practitioners across its network of clinics and drugstores have been reporting to work to provide much needed clinic, pharmaceutical, and telemedicine services. Manila Water, AC Energy, and Globe Telecom personnel have worked non-stop to ensure the continued availability of water, power, and connectivity, respectively. Ayala Land’s property management team has also continued to keep its malls, buildings, and communities safe and clean during this pandemic. The Ayala Group recognizes these workers, among its many others, who continue to serve the nation during this difficult period.

“We offer this tribute to our Ayala heroes, to honor their spirit of hope amidst today’s troubling times. We hope that this captures and reinforces Ayala’s promise to our fellow Filipinos—that in the face of the darkest of challenges, we remain committed to building a brighter tomorrow for all our stakeholders; and that through unity of strength and purpose, we can all make a meaningful and indelible impact to the lives of the Filipino,” said John Philip S. Orbeta, Ayala Corporation Chief Human Resource Officer and Group Head of Corporate Resources.

The Ayala Group essential workforce was featured in a music video together with Cayabyab’s original song, entitled “Nandiyan Ka”, in a livestreamed private event earlier today.

“For a song like this, which is a tribute, I decided that it was going to be a theme for you, for the individuals. So nandiyan ka. Nandiyan ka kahit bumabagyo o umuulan, nandiyan ka in normal times, nandiyan ka in crises, and in pandemics like this… Nandiyan ka—you are there. You are working. So this is a song for all of you,” said Cayabyab in his address to the Ayala Group, as he explained the meaning behind the song.

“Nandiyan Ka”, will be available on Spotify starting May 31, 2020, and the music video can be viewed at bit.ly/AyalaNandiyanKa.

Makati, Philippines – May 22, 2020 The Ayala Group (Ayala) has launched the Ayala Enterprise Circle (AEC), a group-wide Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) network that enhances the group’s ongoing initiatives to educate, connect, and enable SMEs. This synergistic initiative is currently focused on helping its existing 250,000 SME partners continue their operations and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Today’s times are certainly unprecedented and very challenging for enterprises of all sizes, much especially for our SMEs who have always been critical players in our country’s economy… We realized that now, more than ever, do we need to accelerate our efforts to proactively reach out to you,” said Ayala Corporation Chairman & CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala during his welcome address at AEC’s first ever webinar attended by over 900 Ayala SME clients, suppliers, and partners. “We envision the Ayala Enterprise Circle as a network where you, our valued SME partners, can have access to exclusive Ayala Group solutions and offerings, expert mentorship from industry leaders, online dialogues and masterclasses, and business-matching and co-marketing opportunities. We are very excited for what this program has to offer, and we hope that you would continue to join us in this journey as members of this exclusive network.”

The group has been working since the onset of the pandemic to help meet SMEs’ critical needs, such as financial support, business continuity, and healthcare.

As of May 19, 2020, the Ayala group has helped ease the strain on its SME partners through P766-M worth of free services and business operations fees. The latter includes, among others, rental condonations. Ayala Malls alone has waived P280-M covering over 2,400 of Ayala Malls’ SMEs in the last two months.

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has encouraged its SME clients to take advantage of its Loan Reprieve Program (a loan payment deferment program) for up to 90 days to help them manage their cash flows affected by the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). BPI also waived interbank transfer fees to lighten client costs when transferring funds to other local banks for the duration of the ECQ.

Similar grace period programs were extended for qualified loan clients (for credit card, auto, personal, and home loans). BPI was one of the first banks to proactively offer deferred payment programs when the ECQ was first announced, and have since updated them to align with the Bayanihan Act. BPI is now working with PhilGuarantee to refine its loan products for qualified clients.

Ayala is also helping SMEs cope with the disruptions brought about by the ECQ through various business continuity solutions. Globe Telecom (Globe), for example, is helping SMEs thrive through various connectivity offerings to keep their businesses running from home, or to support their online operations. Similarly, Ayala Malls and Zalora are exploring new retail and ecommerce models to give SME tenants an alternative digital channel, with the former serving as community pick-up points for digital purchases.

Lastly, the Ayala group has been working to help protect the health of its workforce, including its SME network, by ensuring the continued availability of AC Health’s clinic, pharmaceutical, and telemedicine services. AC Health has made HealthNow, a web-based online consultation platform, available to everyone including Ayala Group SMEs, free of charge until June.

According to a DTI report, SMEs and microbusinesses cover 60% of the total annual revenues of all Philippine businesses, contribute 35% of the country’s GDP, and employ 63% of working Filipinos. Though SMEs have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, the Ayala group recognizes their significance in sustaining the national economy. It remains fully committed to supporting its existing SME partners during this difficult period through various AEC initiatives in the months to come.

“Across the Ayala Group, we have a renewed commitment to all of our partner SMEs, who have been with us through so many years and have been gravely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. We want to assure them all that we at the Ayala group remain steadfast in our support, and we thank them for their continued trust in us. Through Ayala Enterprise Circle, we hope to forge even deeper partnerships with our SME network as we move forward together into the ‘New Normal,’” said John Philip S. Orbeta, Ayala Corporation’s Chief Human Resource Officer and Group Head of Corporate Resources, who heads the AEC. 

Learn more: https://www.ayalaenterprisecircle.com/

May 19, 2019, Laguna, Philippines. Bilang sagot sa kakulangan ng ventilator na kailangan ng dumaraming COVID-19 patients ng bansa, nagkaisa ang Integrated Micro-electronics, Inc. (IMI) at ang UK-based subsidiary nitong Surface Technology International Limited (STI, Ltd.) upang sumangguni sa mga eksperto, health practitioners, at mga sangay ng gobiyerno hinggil sa pagbuo ng isang lisensyadong Ventura Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device solution.

Ang Ventura CPAP ay isang uri ng ventilator na may kakayahang mag-apply ng patuloy na mild air pressure sa mga pasiyenteng nahihirapang huminga. Ang device na ito ay isang non-profit initiative na hango sa isang off-patent CPAP system na may kakayanang mag-optimize ng oxygen consumption. 

Aprubado ng Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) ang paggamit ng Ventura CPAP sa UK. Ang disenyo nito ay lisensyado rin ng University College London Hospital (UCLH) and Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains para magamit sa special conditions tulad ng COVID-19. Mayroon nang basbas ang IMI mula sa UK proponents ng device upang simulant ang manufacturing nito sa Pilipinas. 

Ayon sa UCLH, ang paggamit ng Ventura CPAP ay nagbunga ng 60%-70% success rate sa mga COVID-19 patient na kailangang i-intubate at kinalaunan ding gumaling. Kasalukuyan nang nakikipagtulungan ang IMI sa Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Technologies (IBEHT) ng De La Salle University upang i-localize ang produksiyon ng Venture CPAP. 

Ang IMI ay isang global technology and manufacturing solutions expert na may headquarters sa Philippines. Ito ang unang nagdaos ng series of multi-industry consultative sessions dito sa bansa. Kabilang sa na nakikipag-ugnayan sa consultative sessions ay si Nick Davey, ang chief technology officer ng IMI. Si Davey ang nag-set up ng research and development team ng STI Ltd. noong 2011. Siya rin ay key member ng UK Ventilator Challenge Consortium na nakikipagtulungan sa UK cabinet officials.

Ang IMI, STI, Ltd., at AC Health ay patuloy sa paghahanap ng iba’t ibang alternatibong ventilator para sa COVID-19 patients.

May 19, 2019, Laguna, Philippines. In support of the Philippine government’s call for the local sourcing and manufacturing of low-cost ventilators and other breathing aid solutions in caring for COVID-19 patients all over the country, Integrated Micro-electronics, Inc. (IMI), along with its UK subsidiary Surface Technology International Limited (STI, Ltd) is organizing a series of virtual consultative and information-sharing sessions with medical experts, health practitioners, and concerned government agencies to explore non-invasive alternative ventilatory strategies using the device solution. CPAP is a form of ventilator that applies mild air pressure continuously and effectively supports patients with breathing difficulties. The proposed solution is a non-profit initiative based on an existing off-patent CPAP system that has been further modified to optimize oxygen consumption. 

The Ventura CPAP system is approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in the UK.  Its design is licensed from the University College London Hospital (UCLH) and Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains under special conditions particularly for use in COVID-19 cases.  The proponents in the UK have granted a license to IMI in the manufacturing of the product in the Philippines.

UCLH reported that the use of the Ventura CPAP system has resulted in 60-70% success of sustaining COVID-19 patients needing intubation.  The patients eventually went on to full recovery. IMI is working with the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Technologies (IBEHT) of DLSU University in localizing the manufacturing of the system. 

In today’s webinar, one of the resource speakers is Nick Davey, IMI’s chief technology officer. Davey set up the Research and Development team in the IMI’s UK subsidiary Surface Technology International Limited (STI Ltd.) in 2011 and is a key member of the UK Ventilator Challenge Consortium, working closely with the UK cabinet officials.

IMI, a global technology and manufacturing solutions expert with its headquarters based in Philippines, is the first to organize this series of multi-industry consultative sessions here in the country. The company along with its UK-based subsidiary STI, Ltd. and local affiliate AC Health, continue to explore various possible ventilator alternative solutions.

Makati City, Philippines – May 18, 2020 Companies within the Ayala group settled taxes of about P9.86-B before the extended June 14, 2020 deadline to help boost the government’s coffers and allotment to COVID-19 response, as the country gears up for the “new normal.”  

The core value drivers of the Ayala group—Ayala Corporation, Ayala Land, Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands, Globe Telecommunications, Inc., AC Energy, and Manila Water Corporation—paid a total of P9,858,293,348 of taxes. 

In a joint statement made last week, brothers Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Fernando Zobel de Ayala, who serve as the group’s chairman and president, respectively, expressed their gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for recognizing Ayala’s support to the government’s initiatives. 

“We are committed to help the President tackle the many challenges he has to deal with and are confident that by working together, our country can overcome each challenge, save lives, and gradually put the country back on a path of growth,” the joint statement reads. 

The brothers also emphasized the importance of public–private cooperation as the country deals with the vast impact of the pandemic.

Group-wide Bayanihan 

To date, the Ayala group has contributed about P5.6 billion in anti-COVID-19 initiatives aimed to protect its employees, support its partners and clients, and provide for the communities it serves.

Related story: Letter to the Ayala Community
Link: https://ayala.com.ph/letter-ayala-community

The Ayala group also took the lead in the conversion of the World Trade Center into a 500-bed quarantine facility that features safe and controlled isolation cubicles as well as examination rooms and quarters for medical personnel. The conversion of this 9, 700 square meters of space took only seven days and was effectively turned over to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. 

Related story: Ayala Group takes part in conversion of World Trade Center into a COVID-19 facility called WTC: We Heal As One Center
Link: https://www.ayala.com.ph/press-room/press-releases/ayala-group-takes-part-conversion-world-trade-center-covid-19-facility

Ayala also donated all the testing booths for four Mega Swabbing Centers at the Palacio de Maynila Tent along Roxas Boulevard, the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Enderun Colleges in Taguig City and the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. These Mega Swabbing Centers aim to swab 55,000 individuals in the Greater Manila Area over the next three weeks.  

Related story: Ayala Supports Government’s TASK FORCE T3​
Link: https://www.ayala.com.ph/press-room/press-releases/ayala-supports-government’s-task-force-t3 

Through Go Negosyo’s Project ARK, the Ayala group also joined other business groups in donating RT-PCR machines to ramp up the testing capacities of six government hospitals at 7,000 swab tests per day. 

The group also collaborated with other members of the private sector for Project Ugnayan, a multi-sectoral initiative with various distribution channels, to give immediate and much needed relief to the poor communities in Greater Metro Manila. 

As of April 27, Project Ugnayan—through its Caritas Manila’s Project Damayan, ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pag-ibig, Asian Development Bank’s and the Government’s Bayan, Bayanihan, and Jollibee’s FoodAID program—has reached about 2.4 million families or 12 million individuals. 

Related story: Project Ugnayan beneficiaries reach over 7.6 million people in Greater Metro Manila​
Link: https://www.ayala.com.ph/press-room/press-releases/project-ugnayan-beneficiaries-reach-over-76-million-people-greater-metro 

Amid the crisis brought by the pandemic, the Ayala group remains true to its commitment to serve its employees, partners, clients, and the communities around it.  

Makati City, Philippines – May 18, 2020 Hindi na hinintay ng mga kompanya ng Ayala group ang extended deadline sa pagbabayad ng buwis sa hangaring matulungan ang gobiyerno sa pagpapalawig ng COVID-19 response ng bansa at paghahanda sa “new normal.”   

Ang mga pangunahing negosyo ng Ayala group—ang Ayala Corporation, Ayala Land, Inc., Bank of the Philippine Islands, Globe Telecommunications, Inc., AC Energy, at Manila Water Corporation—ay nagbayad ng P9,858,293,348 kabuuang buwis bago pa man ang June 14, 2020 deadline. 

Sa isang joint statement noong nakaraang lingo, nagpasalamat sina Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala and Fernando Zobel de Ayala—ang chairman at president ng Ayala group—sa Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pagkilala sa suportang ibinibigay ng Ayala group habang nilalabanan ng bansa ang COVID-19.  

“We are committed to help the President tackle the many challenges he has to deal with and are confident that by working together, our country can overcome each challenge, save lives, and gradually put the country back on a path of growth,” saad ng joint statement.  

Iniriin din ng magkapatid na Ayala ang kahalagahan ng kooperasiyon sa pagitan ng pribado at pampublikong sector habang hinarap ng bansa ang epekto ng pandemya.  

Group-wide Bayanihan 

Sa kasalukuyan, naglabas ang Ayala group P5.6 bilyong response package na naglalayong protektahan ang bawat empleyado ng grupo, ipagpatuloy ang galaw ng mga negosyo, suportahan ang partners at kliyente, at bigyang tulong ang mga komunidad na pinagsisilbihan nito.   

Pinangunahan din ng Ayala group ang pag-convert sa World Trade Center sa isang 500-bed quarantine facility na mayroong ligtas at kontroladong isolation cubicles pati na rin examination rooms at quarters para sa medical personnel. Sa loob ng pitong araw, ang 9,700 square meters na pasilidad ay na-turnover sa Armed Forces of the Philippines at agad na nagamit.

Ayala rin ang nagpatayo sa lahat ng testing booths sa apat sa Mega Swabbing Centers sa Palacio de Maynila Tent sa Roxas Boulevard, Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City, Enderun Colleges sa Taguig City, at sa Philippine Arena sa Bulacan. Layunin ng Mega Swabbing Centers na ma-swab ang 55,000 indibiduwal sa Kalakhang Maynila sa loob ng tatlong linggo.  

Sa pamamagitan ng Project ARK ng Go Negosyo, nakipagtulungan ang Ayala sa ilang business groups para sa karagdagang RT-PCR machines upang mapabilis at mapalawig ang testing capacity ng anim na hospital ng gobiyerno. Ang machines na ito ay makakapagproseso ng 7,000 swab tests sa loob isang araw.

Nanguna rin ang Ayala group sa pakikipagtulungan sa ibang miyembro ng pribadong sector sa pagbuo ng Project Ugnayan, isang multi-sectoral na inisiyatibong nakapagbigay ng mabilis at kinakailangang tulong sa mga pinakamahihirap na komunidad ng Kalakhang Maynila. 

Sa datos na inilabas ng Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, as of April 27, humigit kumulang 2.4 milyong pamilya at 12 milyong katao ang natulungan ng Project Ugnayan at ng iba’t ibang distribution channels nito kasama ang Project Damayan ng Caritas Manila, Pantawid ng Pag-ibig ng ABS-CBN, Bayan, Bayanihan ng Asian Development Bank at gobiyerno, at FoodAID program ng Jollibee. 

Sa gitna ng krisis na dala ng pandemya, patuloy ang serbisyong tapat ng Ayala group sa mga empleyado, partner, kliente, at komunidad sa paligid nito.  

Makati City, Philippines – May 14, 2020 The United Nations Global Compact recognizes the tremendous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the socio-economic progress countries have achieved over the last couple of years.

But despite the major setbacks brought by the pandemic, regional business leaders see a silver lining from the renewed unity between the private and the public sectors in these unprecedented times.

In Global Compact Academy’s webinar “#UnitingBusiness to Respond to COVID-19” held Tuesday, Ayala Corporation’s Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said the partnership between the private sector and the government has been instrumental in effectively addressing the immediate needs of the Philippines, as the country’s main island Luzon enters the 57th day of enhanced community quarantine.

“We’ve been working hand in hand with the government to see what kind of economic stimulus would be necessary,” Zobel said. “Not a day goes in the Philippines where the private sector and the public sector are not having dialogues, exchanging notes, and seeing where we can help each other at all different levels.”

Quick, multi-sectoral response

Immediately after the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine, the Ayala group unveiled a P5.5 billion COVID-19 response package that aimed to protect its employees, support the tenants of its malls and commercial properties, and provide relief to the communities it serves. According to Zobel, this response package enabled the group’s more than 72,000 direct-hire employees as well as 75,000 day laborers in its construction business to have financial security in a time of uncertainty.

The group also acknowledges the importance of supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which cover 60% of total annual revenues of Philippine businesses, contribute about 35% of the total gross domestic product, and employ 63% of Filipino workforce. As such, Ayala commits to supporting its network of 200,000 SMEs and over 1 million micro enterprises under three key aspects, namely, health, business continuity through digitalization, and financial assistance. For instance, AC Health opened a 24/7 medical hotline. Meanwhile, Globe offered digital packages for work-from-home arrangement and data storage requirement, while BPI currently works on a product that will help MSMEs recover.

In partnership with the government, the Ayala group took the lead in the conversion of the World Trade Center to a 500-bed quarantine facility, which was effectively turned over to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in less than two weeks. The group also donated all the testing booths for four Mega Swabbing Centers, which aim to swab 55,000 individuals in the Greater Manila Area over the next three weeks. Moreover, through Go Negosyo’s Project ARK, Ayala and other big business groups donated RT-PCR machines to ramp up the testing capacities of six government hospitals at 7,000 swab tests per day.

“Out of a difficult and painful situation, we can all come out of this in a way that we’ve created a new sense of purpose in unity— in our constituency, in our communities— then I think there’s a lot that we can build on in the future,” Zobel emphasized.

The Ayala group has also been instrumental in collaborating with other members of the private sector for Project Ugnayan, a multi-sectoral initiative that reached 5,445,255 urban poor families, equivalent to over 7.6 million Filipinos, through different distribution channels led by Caritas Manila’s Project Damayan.

Higher resilience through sustainability

But these are just short-term solutions to the bigger issues, Zobel said. According to him, the pandemic has exposed how vulnerable we all are, and this presents an opportunity to realign business strategies to make us all resilient in the future.

“If ever there’s a time to basically reflect on the way we’ve all been doing things and on the kind of world we want to create, it is now,” Zobel said. “In the end, we can emerge as more unified, more resilient.”

Zobel’s statement was backed by Kokosai Kogyo Chairperson and CEO Sandra Wu, who said the crisis has actually strengthened her company’s sustainability agenda. Meanwhile, UN ESCAP Undersecretary General Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana said companies should begin investing in “soft infrastructure,” which includes a change of mindset and behavior for all its stakeholders.

As a founding member of the United Nations Global Compact Network Philippines, Ayala Corporation believes that sustainability is key to a better future. It supports Global Compact’s 10 Principles and aligns its business objectives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

To further the group’s contribution to a sustainable future, it launched its own Ayala Sustainability Blueprint that features specific sustainable development goals (SDGs) with particular business units as champions. At Ayala, each business unit sets a target to help bring the Filipino to Ayala’s vision of 2030.

These targets were further strengthened during the Annual Stockholders’ Meetings, as the leaders across the Ayala group disclosed their respective sustainability initiatives in relation to their commitment to the SDGs. Visit this link to learn more about the sustainability performance of the Ayala group: https://www.ayala.com.ph/investors/annual-reports

Makati City, Philippines — May 8, 2020 Buo ang suporta ng Ayala Corporation sa TASK FORCE T3 (Test, Trace, Treat), ang ugnayan ng gobiyerno at pribadong sektor upang pabilisin at pataasin ang kapasidad ng ating healthcare system na iwaksi ang COVID-19.

Itinayo ng Ayala ang lahat ng testing booths sa apat na Mega Swabbing Centers na binibuksan ngayong linggo. Kasama dito ang Palacio de Maynila Tent sa Roxas Boulevard, Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City, Enderun Colleges sa Taguig City, at Philippine Arena sa Bulacan.

Layunin ng Mega Swabbing Centers na ma-swab ang 55,000 katao sa kalakhang Maynila sa susunod na tatlong linggo. Samantala, 125,000 katao ang na-swab sa buong bansa sa nakaraang tatlong buwan. Priority ng malaking swabbing operation na ito ang 25,000 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) na kasalukuyang naka-quarantine sa hotels at iba pang pasilidad. Target din nitong ma-swab ang halos 30,000 katao na COVID-19 suspects pati health workers na madalas ay exposed sa virus.

“We are fully committed to helping the Government in its drive to beat COVID-19. We completely agree with its whole of nation approach, where Government, the private sector and our citizenry unite to overcome this extraordinary crisis,“ saad ni Ayala Corporation Chairman at CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. “In particular, we support the IATF’s focus on rapidly ramping up testing and the country’s healthcare capacity, as we believe these are key to saving both lives and livelihoods during this pandemic.”

Patuloy naman ang suporta ng Ayala Group of Companies sa iba’t ibang proyekto ng gobiyerno sa iba pang lugar. Noong Abril, ilan sa Ayala companies (Ayala Land, Globe, Manila Water, IMI and AC Energy) ang nagkaisa upang tulungan ang ICCP, Manila Exhibition Center, the Bases Conversion Development Authority (“BCDA”), at gobiyerno sa pag-convert ng World Trade Center sa isang 500-bed quarantine facility na may ligtas, malinis, at kontroladong isolation cubicles.

“We are grateful to the Ayala group for partnering with us in this time of major crisis. We call on everyone to support TASK FORCE T3, because rapid and massive Testing, Tracing and Treating are the keys to defeating COVID-19. With our Bayanihan spirit, where the Government, the private sector and our people are united, we are confident that we can Heal as One,“ ani Vince Dizon, ang Deputy Chief Implementer ng COVID-19 response ng gobiyerno, at kasalukuyan ding CEO ng BCDA. Siya rin ay katulong ni Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. sa pag-implement ng guidelines at protocols na inilabas ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases).

Makati City, Philippines – May 8, 2020 Ayala Corporation is supporting TASK FORCE T3 (for Test, Trace, Treat), the Government’s partnership with the private sector to rapidly ramp up the national health care system’s capacity to beat COVID-19.

Ayala has donated all the testing booths for the four Mega Swabbing Centers that are being launched this week at the Palacio de Maynila Tent along Roxas Boulevard, the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Enderun Colleges in Taguig City and the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

The goal of the Mega Swabbing Centers is to swab 55,000 individuals in the Greater Manila Area over the next 3 weeks. To date, a total of 125,000 have been swabbed nation-wide over the past 3 months. The massive swabbing operation will prioritize 25,000 repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are currently quarantined in hotels and quarantine facilities, plus 30,000 individuals who are suspects, probables and healthcare workers who are constantly exposed to the virus.

“We are fully committed to helping the Government in its drive to beat COVID-19. We completely agree with its whole of nation approach, where Government, the private sector and our citizenry unite to overcome this extraordinary crisis,” said Ayala Corporation Chairman & CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala. “In particular, we support the IATF’s focus on rapidly ramping up testing and the country’s healthcare capacity, as we believe these are key to saving both lives and livelihoods during this pandemic.”

The Ayala Group of Companies is supporting the Government’s efforts in other areas as well. Last month, several Ayala companies (Ayala Land, Globe, Manila Water, IMI and AC Energy) partnered with ICCP, Manila Exhibition Center, the Bases Conversion Development Authority (“BCDA”) and the Government to convert the World Trade Center into a 500 bed quarantine facility with safe, clean and controlled isolation cubicles.

“We are grateful to the Ayala group for partnering with us in this time of major crisis. We call on everyone to support TASK FORCE T3, because rapid and massive Testing, Tracing and Treating are the keys to defeating COVID-19. With our Bayanihan spirit, where the Government, the private sector and our people are united, we are confident that we can Heal as One,” said Vince Dizon, the Deputy Chief Implementer of the Government’s COVID-19 response. Dizon is concurrently CEO of BCDA and has been asked to help Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. to implement the guidelines and protocols issued by the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases).