Over a year since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country
continues to grapple with the challenges, which include the imposed quarantines
and limiting of movements. Throughout this critical time, countless individuals
and organizations have worked together and volunteered to provide support to
those who needed it the most.
Among these is the Philippines’ leading carrier, Cebu Pacific, which
is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Driven by its mission
and purpose, CEB immediately answered the call to join other partners in
mounting extensive relief and humanitarian efforts towards helping those
affected by the pandemic. Truly, the collective spirit of bayanihan shone
through, and Cebu Pacific sincerely thanks its partners who went above and beyond
the call of duty at an undeniably difficult time.
Aiding in the transport of much-needed supplies
The lockdowns resulted in restricted movements across cities and
provinces, which then posed quite a challenge in ensuring essentials, such as
food, medical supplies, and other humanitarian aid, are still delivered in a
timely manner all over the archipelago. Thankfully, major players in the
industry offered to help, while CEB as a public service volunteered the best
way it knows how.
The carrier, with the support of its hero frontliners, such as its
cargo, passenger, and ramp agents, along with its pilots and cabin crew
members— has provided free-of-charge cargo deliveries across various cities in
the Philippines. CEB’s fleet of Airbus and ATR aircraft were utilized to
address the demand for logistics support to areas such as Cebu, Puerto
Princesa, Iloilo, Bohol, Butuan, Davao, and Zamboanga.
Throughout the year, the airline also flew a number of sweeper flights
to aid the Philippine government and its attached agencies in flying stranded
tourists home. It has also mounted flights for OFWs in partnership with various
organizations, such as the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
Just recently, CEB has also carried life-saving vaccines to Zamboanga
and Tuguegarao, in support of the national government’s efforts to wipe out
COVID-19.
Heeding the call of partners
From the onset of the pandemic, numerous organizations, both from the
government and non-government space, rallied for assistance and support as they
sought out potential private-sector partners for their respective relief
efforts. CEB was quick to commit assistance in any form possible as it flies to
the widest domestic network.
“Through Cebu Pacific’s generous support, we were able to distribute
PPEs to the health and security sectors, to our staff and volunteers—timely and
efficiently,” says Jerome Balinton, Humanitarian Response Manager, Save the
Children Philippines, the world’s leading independent organization for
children, protecting and supporting children in need.
For George Morales, Volunteer Mover of the Mindanao-based
non-government organization (NGO) Bulig Kontra COVID-19 Koronadal, he
appreciated how Cebu Pacific “was more than helpful when it waived its delivery
fee.” Meanwhile, Melody Cosep, Member and Volunteer of Puksain ang COVID-19 sa
South Cotabato, another Mindanao-based NGO, said the money saved that was
supposed to be spent for logistics was instead “coursed through and utilized
for the purchase of more PPEs, alcohol, and other essentials for frontliners.”
Among the major organizations Cebu Pacific partnered with and extended
vital support to include the Angat Buhay initiative of the Office of the
Vice-President, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and
the Armed Forces of the Philippines, among others. Prior to the COVID-19
pandemic, the airline also officially became a partner of the Philippine
Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and the Philippine Business for Social
Progress (PBSP), both of which are backed by some of the largest companies and
businesses in the Philippines.
As the delivery of relief goods, medical supplies, and humanitarian
aid is mission critical, having a partner from the airline industry can help a
great deal when a disaster or crisis—especially one of immense
magnitude—strikes. As specified by the partners of Cebu Pacific, the airline’s
inter-island connectivity amidst the lockdown was maximized as this allowed
them to reach more destinations and individuals without having to allocate
budget for transport costs.
“We’re immensely grateful to the Cebu Pacific management and its
employees for their immediate and positive response to our request for blood
augmentation,” says Romarie Sanchez RN, Donor Recruitment Officer of the Philippine
Red Cross Iloilo Chapter. “They also helped in transporting Rh negative blood
units to patients with rare blood type needs as well as facilitating in the
transport of Convalescent Plasma Therapy (CPT) to COVID-19 patients in need of
CPT transfusion. Physicians, families, and patients were very pleased with the
results.”
“You've always been there. Transporting beds, water, tents, to
Mindanao and so many other areas. Cebu Pacific is giving a gift of love today
and hopefully tomorrow,” says Butch Meily, PDRF President.
To date, Cebu Pacific has already transported 124 tons of humanitarian
goods, all free-of-charge. At present, CEB is the only Philippine carrier with
dedicated freighters – two ATRs capable of carrying as much as seven tons of
cargo in one uplift, along with one recently-converted A330 freighter.
“As we continue to weather this pandemic, we at Cebu Pacific are
driven by our purpose and mission to serve others in this time of need,” said
Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific Vice President for Marketing & Customer
Experience of Cebu Pacific Air. “We are always more than ready to help in any
way we can, as have been and always will be committed to serve our fellowmen– indeed
when like-minded partners come together, we truly become stronger as Juan.”
Comments