SMFI’s Connie Angeles (second from left) hands the donation to PRC chairperson Dick Gordon (third from left). Joining the turnover are PRC Governor Ernesto Isla and PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang (first and fourth from left, respectively). Photo from PRC.

In solidarity with earthquake-hit countries Türkiye and Syria, SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI) sent aid through the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) last Feb. 27, 2023.

Represented by SM Foundation Health and Medical Programs Executive Director Connie Angeles, SMFI handed 200 units of gasoline generators to PRC to provide power to the quake-stricken Türkiye and Syria.

Additionally, the social good arm of SM also donated Php5 million to help address the needs of earthquake victims.

PRC volunteers prepare to ship 200 units of gasoline generators donated by SM Foundation for quake-hit Türkiye and Syria. Photo from PRC.

The aid comes after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Türkiye and northwest Syria. The disaster was followed by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake, hitting southern Turkiye, which led to additional casualties and damages.

To learn more about SM Foundation’s social good programs, visit www.sm-foundation.org or follow its social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube): @SMFoundationInc.

One of the companies that leads when it comes to disinfecting, Lysol Philippines has partnered with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for Disinfect to Protect, a joint mission to ensure everybody is protected from illnesses, by breaking the chain of infection.

Through the endeavor, the disinfectant brand will donate P36 million to boost mass testing in support of government efforts, bring it to the most vulnerable groups, and encourage Filipinos to sanitize their surroundings to protect them from disease-causing germs.

Half of the donation will be used to build a COVID-19 mass testing center in Cagayan De Oro city. To be known as the Philippine Red Cross Molecular Laboratory, the facility will have 2 polymerase chain reaction machines that can process 2,000 tests per day.

Lysol’s contribution will also be earmarked for the laboratory’s operations and maintenance costs, including hiring of personnel.

The other half of the donation—P18 million—will go to the COVID-19 Samaritan Fund to shoulder processing fees to test around 4,500 Filipinos from the most susceptible groups, including the elderly, pregnant women and those with pre-existing health conditions, especially in poor communities.

Lysol will also turn over P5 million worth of its products to help disinfect PRC sample collection areas, as well as testing laboratories, to keep frontline healthcare workers and communities protected against the novel coronavirus.

To break the chain of COVID-19 infection in the household level, the brand is also encouraging Filipinos to practice proper handwashing, and regularly cleaning and disinfecting their surroundings—including frequently-touched surfaces at home and workplaces—with disinfectant sprays and multi-purpose cleaners.


“We feel humbled to be partnering with the Philippine Red Cross in their efforts to strengthen the country’s COVID-19 testing capacity and expand its coverage to needy sectors of society, as we keep the Philippines’ medical front-liners safe against an unseen enemy while creating awareness on the importance of hygiene and disinfection,” said Gonzalo Balcazar, RB General Manager for South East Asia, Hygiene. “More than ensuring households are protected from illness-causing germs, Lysol sees this partnership, and our ‘Disinfect to Protect’ mission as creating a bigger impact on various communities.”

“We welcome Lysol as our partner in helping control the spread of COVID19. They are a company who has invested most of their resources in studying pathogens and developing solutions that can kill these. They know what we are up against, and how we can stop the infection,” said Sen Gordon, Chairman of Philippine Red Cross.

To know more about the Disinfect to Protect mission, please visit the Lysol Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/LysolPH) or Philippine Red Cross (https://www.facebook.com/phredcross).

Now you can donate to various charitable foundations and humanitarian agencies mobilizing relief and response efforts against COVID-19 through PayMaya's digital payments platform. The one-stop digital donation facility that can be accessed online or in-app is part of #OneAgainstCOVID19 drive that PayMaya launched with various partners to help raise funds for frontliners and the most vulnerable communities affected by the pandemic.

“In this time of great and urgent need, coming together in the traditional spirit of bayanihan becomes ever more important so that no one gets left behind. This #OneAgainstCOVID19 harnesses the power of collaboration and digital payments as we fight this global pandemic,” said PayMaya Founder and CEO Orlando B. Vea.

By visiting the #OneAgainstCOVID19 page in the PayMaya website (http://donate.paymaya.com) or going to the Pay Bills section of the PayMaya app, Filipinos can choose from a variety of charitable organizations to support with causes that range from providing medical front liners with meals and personal protective equipment to giving relief and medical packages to communities, among many others. Recipient beneficiaries, meanwhile, will be able to receive the donations through PayMaya's platforms.

Anyone from around the world can go to the #OneAgainstCOVID19 website and donate using their credit, debit, or prepaid card. This means that even overseas Filipinos can pitch in for the various efforts. Online donation acceptance using a Philippine mobile number with a PayMaya account through Pay with PayMaya is also available. For PayMaya account holders, donating via the Pay Bills section of the PayMaya app or by scanning a partner's PayMaya QR online is the fastest way to support #OneAgainstCOVID19 causes.

Partner organizations raising funds through the platform include the Philippine Red Cross, which is seeking donations for different aid packages that will be given to medical front liners and communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNICEF, on the other hand, is calling for donations to provide critical, medical and sanitation supplies for health facilities, as well as educating children and families on proper handwashing, providing parents with home-based educational activities for children and psychosocial support through counselling.

For Oxfam Pilipinas, proceeds will go to helping ensure that poor families have access to water, sanitation and hygiene items to protect their health, and help them recover from the effects of COVID-19—particularly those who lost their livelihood or income during the community quarantine period.

Caritas Manila is calling for cash donations to provide Caritas LIGTAS COVID-19 kits and Caritas Manna food bags to poor communities, families, and the elderly in Metro Manila, who are the most vulnerable during these difficult times.

Other #OneAgainstCOVID19 partner organizations that Filipinos can choose to donate to include the Philippine Business for Social Progress, Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation, TV5's Alagang Kapatid Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, and #nowheretogobutUP, among others.

One big effort vs. COVID-19

In launching the effort, PayMaya underscored the need for a multi-sectoral, concerted push that will help support the various front liners in the effort to curb the spread of the COVID-19 disease, as well as alleviate the plight of those living in vulnerable communities. As it makes its digital financial platforms available for the #OneAgainstCOVID19 advocacy campaign, PayMaya is working with its partner merchants, Smart Padala agents, and employees to campaign for the cause.

Donate via online, mobile

To donate via the #OneAgainstCOVID19 web page, simply follow these steps:

Go to http://donate.paymaya.com
Choose the specific organization or cause that you want to donate to
Choose the donation amount or package of your choice, then click ‘Add to Cart’
Review your cart or donate to other organizations as well, then click ‘Check Out’
Fill in the needed information, then click ‘Continue to Payment’. Review the details you entered, then click ‘Complete Order’ to be redirected to the secure payment page
Enter your card or PayMaya details in the fields provided, then click ‘Pay Now’
You will receive a confirmation of your donation via email or SMS, depending on the payment method

To donate using the PayMaya app, follow these steps:

Log in to your PayMaya account
Click the ‘Pay Bills’ button
Choose from among the organizations with the hashtag #OneAgainstCOVID19 you want to donate to
In the Account Number field, enter ‘00000’
In the Amount field, enter the amount you want to donate
Once done, click continue. Review the information you have entered, then click ‘Pay’
You will receive an SMS in your mobile phone regarding the donation

Donations collected via these #OneAgainstCOVID19 channels will be received by PayMaya and remitted to their respective recipient organizations.

To know more about this initiative, visit http://donate.paymaya.com

Now on its fourth year, the Million Volunteer Run is this year’s biggest humanitarian run organized by the Philippine Red Cross. It aims to further grow the PRC’s already extensive network of volunteers nationwide.

Happening on 13 May 2017, Saturday, 4:00AM, at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila, the advocacy run likewise seeks to once again draw participation from government, corporate, religious, academic, and athletic institutions to rally together behind the impartial protection of life and dignity, especially of indigent Filipinos in vulnerable situations.

A 3K and 5K fun run, proceeds of the event will fund PRC’s various humanitarian programs and lifesaving services such as its Blood Services, Disaster Management Services, Safety Services, Health Services, Social Services, Red Cross Youth and Volunteer Services.
Three Simple Ways To Register To Million Volunteer Run 4!

1. ONLINE REGISTRATION WITH OFFSITE RACE KIT REDEMPTION REGISTER 
at mvr.redcross.org.ph PAY via Credit Card, Paypal, Bancnet, 7-Eleven, Bank Deposit, Internet Banking, GCash, plus other Payment Centers CLAIM Race Kit at PRC National Headquarter or CHRIS Sports at SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM North Annex, SM MOA, SM Sucat, Glorietta 3

TO CLAIM RACE KIT: Bring printed copy of proof of registration (emailed notice of successful registration) and proof of payment.

2. ONLINE REGISTRATION VIA SM TICKETS WITH OFFSITE RACE KIT REDEMPTION

PAY via www.smtickets.com or SM ticket counters nationwide REGISTER at mvr.redcross.org.ph CLAIM Race Kit at PRC National Headquarter or CHRIS Sports at SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM North Annex, SM MOA, SM Sucat, Glorietta 3

TO CLAIM RACE KIT: Bring printed copy of proof of registration (emailed notice of successful registration) and proof of payment.

3. ONSITE REGISTRATION AND RACE KIT REDEMPTION

REGISTER at mvr.redcross.org.ph PAY and CLAIM Race Kit at the location you indicated in your online registration, either at the PRC National Headquarter, designated CHRIS Sports outlet (SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM North Annex, SM MOA, SM Sucat, Glorietta or chosen local PRC chapter.
Why Join The Million Volunteer Run 4 And Become A Red Cross Member? Self-Worth. Being a member of the Red Cross gives an individual a sense of worth since he/she becomes a part of the premier humanitarian organization that continues to serve the most vulnerable.

Personal Growth And Development. Red Cross members may avail of leadership, disaster response, first aid, and other youth development training. Red Cross expansive network of chapters also provides extensive opportunities for service and interchange.
Access To Red Cross Services. During emergencies, Red Cross members will have the access to safe blood, safety, and other life saving services of the PRC. Other services, on the other hand, require fees to augment direct operational costs.

Who Can Become A Red Cross Member? Individuals aged 6-65 years old (students, out-of-school youths, employees, utility workers, Red Cross staff, volunteers, and trainees, etc.)
How Does One Become A Red Cross Member Through Million Volunteer Run4? For P500, register to the P500 Category and become a registered PRC Bronze Member.

For more details on Million Volunteer Run 4, log on to  mvr.redcross.org.ph, like www.facebook.com/MillionVolunteerRun, or call (02) 790.2410.

It’s been several difficult years since Nov. 8, 2013, when the Philippines braved the strongest storm ever recorded, and took the brunt of Typhoon Haiyan, the deadliest Philippine typhoon to date.
 As the typhoon swept through Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Capiz, Negros and Northern Iloilo, it left in its wake 6,300 dead, and cities such as Tacloban in a brittle heap. According to reports, an estimated 16 million people were affected by Typhoon Haiyan, 4.1 million people were displaced, and 1.1 million houses were damaged after the devastation.
Rebuilding the cities, especially Tacloban, and helping the communities bounce back from such devastation was a challenge. It was a difficult task, but not an impossible one for the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).
“The Philippine Red Cross understands that action without direction is nothing. We, the PRC, pride ourselves in being there at times when people need us most, sharing hope when there doesn’t seem to be any, and providing light when others cannot see the way,” shared PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dick Gordon. “As long as PRC live, we will continue to serve, protect and be in service to the Filipino people.”
Approaching Haiyan’s third anniversary, the PRC proudly shares its progress.