Pfizer, Inc. employes went thousands of kilometers away from home during the recent Christmas rush to help share the spirit of the season with the victims of a typhoon in the municipality of Bacacay, Albay. Through the expertise of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and the volunteer doctors of Bicol, the pharmaceutica company organized "Oplan Tabang" for the residents of Bacacay.
Oplan Tabang (operation help) is Pfizer’s joint community outreach project with the PNRC and the doctors of Bicol.
The company also received assistance from the volunteer doctors who came from various parts of Bicol to extend their medical services to the local residents.
The municipality of Bacacay came up as the target area for the group since it has not been accessed by any relief or medical operations after typhoons Milenyo, Reming, Seniang, and the Mayon eruption.
Carrying blankets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, medicine, and other important relief materials, the Pfizer and PNRC teams met with local volunteers comprising of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and students. The goods and medicines were mobilized for residents of seven barangays of Bacacay.
"We are so happy that help has finally arrived for us here in Bacacay," said town mayor, Gloria Berango. "We have been trying to sustain ourselves for the last three weeks especially since electricity has not come back. But I can only admire my townspeople for their patience and diligence in rising up from this misfortune. Their sacrifices have indeed been compensated with the tremendous offer of support from Pfizer, PNRC, and our doctors," she said.
PNRC chairman, Senator Richard Gordon, spoke before the 850 families who flocked to Brgy. Sula for the medical mission. He promised livelihood funds to help the people to rise and work harder for complete recovery.
"Be thankful that there are companies whose corporate culture involves helping people improve lives. Let us not forget your doctors who are doing such admirable work today. We are here with them because we believe that when you have good health, you have hope," Gordon said.
Known worldwide for its research and development discovery and innovations in modern medicine, one of Pfizer’s fundamentals is to save, improve, and enhance lives through corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.
Pfizer Foundation New York donated ,000 (P2.5 million) cash through Pfizer Philippines for Oplan Tabang. The local company, in turn, donated another P1.9 million which was all turned over to the PNRC. The entire amount was allocated for non-food items and medicines like mefenamic acid for fever and flu, guaifenesin for cough control, anti-infectives, and other medicines.
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