Health kits and bicycles were given on Friday to schools, police officers, and local government employees in Ilocos Norte as the first week of the opening of classes drew to a close.

The distribution, part of Ayala Foundation Inc.’s “Maging Magiting” campaign, was led by the organization’s president Ruel Maranan, in partnership with the National Historial Commission of the Philippines, represented by Deputy Executive Director Alvin Alcid, and General Manager Ronald Mascariñas of Bounty Agro Ventures Inc.

In a speech during the event held at the Laoag City multi-purpose hall, Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc thanked the sponsors for partnering with local government units to promote inclusive growth in the province.

“Ayala has been a long-time partner of Ilocos Norte through our windmills. We have seen over the decades that the Ayala Group sets for more than just business that is why we are so proud for having companies with shared values of love for country, responsibility, sustainability, and of course, helping our communities,” said Manotoc, adding that the provincial government will continue to support companies’ initiative for progress. Philippine flags were also distributed during the event to promote love of country among the residents.

The Ayala Foundation has also sought to address urgent needs of teachers and students in Ilocos norte during the “new normal” of education through its “Brigada ng Ayala” campaign. This included the provision of health and hygiene kits, the provision of hand-washing facilities, and access to online resources.

During the upsurge of the pandemic last year, the Ayala group’s windfarms worked with the provincial government to fortify the local healthcare system, donating a combined PHP4 million worth of medical supplies to mitigate the impact of the pandemic to the community.

Ayala also allocated an additional PHP2 million for health and food relief as well as educational tools, with the priority to provide the local community with the aid they most need.

Public hospitals were also given personal protective equipment (PPE), 500 gallons of alcohol, and four units of Integrated Microelectronics Inc.’s UCL Ventura Flow Generator, a non-invasive ventilation system for coronavirus disease 2019 patients. (PNA)