PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have extended support to Cavite City residents who lost their homes to a huge fire on February 12, amid the Omicron threat over the greater Manila area.
Together with PLDT-Smart Foundation, PLDT and Smart distributed relief packs to around 300 displaced families seeking shelter at Ladislao Diwa Elementary School.
“We are very grateful that PLDT and Smart have sent us aid. Thank you very much,” said Monique Mae Balindo whose house was gutted by the fire.
“To the whole PLDT and Smart family, thank you so much for sending relief assistance to our residents who lost their homes to the fire. This will greatly aid them as they recover from the tragedy,” said Cavite City Vice Mayor Denver Christopher Chua.
“Thank you for visiting us and for bringing aid to our community. Your assistance is a huge boost to victims of the fire,” said Barangay 124 Chairman Perry Pagaduan.
The blaze started in Barangay 24 (Libra) before spreading to three neighboring barangays. In total, more than 700 families have been affected by the tragedy.
Guided by the companies’ core value of ‘malasakit’ or compassion, PLDT and Smart continue to assist communities that have been severely impacted by tragedies. These efforts fall under the PLDT group’s #SafeandSmart advocacy that champions initiatives promoting a culture of preparedness, provide immediate response through network resilience, continuous availability of communication services, and relief assistance to communities affected by disasters, and aid in recovery.
These programs that help communities become more resilient in times of calamity are in line with the commitment of PLDT and Smart to help the country attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 11 of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, by significantly reducing the number of people affected by disasters.