Shell’s Trading & Supply (T&S) is among the first to respond to the needs of Filipino indigent families impacted by the COVID-19 community lockdowns.
As part of its community efforts, T&S delivered relief goods to over 6000 indigent families from Pasacao, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo, Palawan, Iligan, Calapan, Bacolod, Anibong, and Masbate.
“ The relief coming from the government is not enough,” said Christopher Imperial, a resident of Pasacao, and one of the beneficiaries of the T&S programme. The enforcement of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or community lockdown left the indigent families with limited options to sustain their daily needs, particularly food. This makes them more vulnerable and heavily reliant on social help. Realising the situation, T&S immediately mobilized its Terminals to purchase, repack, and timely deliver the relief goods. These include 3-5 kilos of rice, noodles, canned goods, coffee, and sugar. “That is why we are thankful to Shell, this is a big help for my family especially during the quarantine period.”
T&S was supported by Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and Mindoro Biodiversity Foundation (MBCFI) in the distribution of relief goods. “Maintaining social distance is a challenge among community volunteers who helped in this activity” said PSFI’s Project Officer Julius Elorpe. The goods were disinfected and the frontline team maintained social distancing protocols while distributing the goods to families.
Partnering with community leaders is also vital in this kind of activity. They help in identifying the indigent families as well as mobilized its constituents to help in distribution. “A heartfelt gratitude to Shell management for helping our community, especially the poorest of the poor” said Village Chairman Rey Taneo of Barangay Bagong Silang, in Puerto Prinsesa City, Palawan.
A continued solidarity among Shell, government leaders, non-government organizations, and private individuals, to ensure that every need are taken care of. “This humble effort only shows how we act as one with the community in the fight against COVID-19, a good neighbor that truly helps in every way we can” said Matthew Macalalad, Shell’s Terminal Manager in Anibong, Tacloban City.|
