Widus Foundation Completes Relief Operation in Typhoon Odette Barangays in Cebu City and Mandaue City

In line with its disaster relief assistance advocacy, Widus Foundation Inc. (WFI) launched its Sagip Kababayan Disaster Relief Assistance Project to provide supplementation aid for communities heavily devastated by the December 2021 Super Typhoon Odette.   

WFI, the corporate social responsibility arm and corporate foundation of the Hann Group, partnered with Philippine Air Force – Headquarters Air Defense Command (HADC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Swissotel Clark, Marriott Clark and Hann Casino Resort in repacking over a thousand donation supplies for disaster-affected families in Cebu. 

The million-peso calamity relief project distributed food packs and basic hygiene kits to help alleviate the family’s need for a few days. The food supplies consist of grocery items such as rice, bottled water, noodle packets, canned goods, and coffee. Personal toiletry kits included alcohol, feminine wash, sanitary pads, soap, and face masks.  

Neki Liwanag, Executive Director, shared that WFI’s dedication to extend help also encompasses outside their usual region of focus.  “Widus Foundation aims to provide support to families who are still unable to recover from the recent typhoon. Our commitment to providing assistance to our Kababayans continues even during and after calamities especially during this on-going pandemic.” 

For his part, Ronnel Golimlim, Foundation Manager, attributed the project’s success to the active participation of WFI volunteers in ensuring all supplies are sorted, packed and delivered. 

“We are thankful to PAF for their unwavering support in delivering the supplies from Clark to Cebu and for coordinating on our behalf with the LGUs in ensuring the successful turnover of the relief supplies. The employees of HANN Casino Resorts, Swissotel Clark and Marriot Clark, were also instrumental in making this project happen”, he added.  

Barangay Looc Captain Allan Siazon expressed his gratefulness for WFI’s generosity.  

“Daghan salamat sa Widus Foundation at Philippine Air Force sa kanilang support sa mga kababayan namin dito sa Cebu,” he said.  

What made the project unique is when WFI purchased 1100 pcs of 5kilos of Rice from Sta. Ana Farmers Cooperative instead of purchasing it from local merchandizers. WFI sought the assistance of Department of Agriculture Region III in referring qualified Farmers’ Cooperative. With this initiative, DA Region III and Sta. Ana Farmers Cooperative recognized the effort of WFI in helping local farmers.