MANILA, PHILIPPINES – A record P36M in cash donations for the benefit of health workers and frontliners in 11 medical institutions nationwide was successfully raised by 491,821 loyal Globe customers through their Globe Rewards Points.
As of April 21, funds raised were used to procure 8,100 bouffant caps, 26,057 surgical gowns and coverall suits, 20,400 surgical and N95 masks, 1,000 liters of disinfectants, 4,600 goggles, 4,100 gloves and aprons, 300 rapid test kits, 500 face shields, 50 full-face respirators, 10 thermoscanners, and 1 point of care echocardiography and ultrasonography device. The remaining amount is still being used by the respective hospitals to purchase other needed medical supplies.
From the raised funds, P10 million was given to Philippine General Hospital Medical Foundation, Inc. (PGH MFI), which is a designated exclusive COVID-19 facility by the Department of Health (DOH). In addition to this, the company turned over an initial pledge of P5 million in cash donation, and 50 mobile phones preloaded with unlimited calls and texts to all networks valid for 45 days to serve the communication needs of healthcare workers and frontliners at PGH.
Dr. Telesforo Gana, Jr., President at PGH MFI expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Globe and all customers who contributed in the initiative: “It is a daily battle for all of us here at PGH in combating the spread of COVID-19, but knowing that partners like Globe and the Filipino public are there to help us amidst very difficult times for everyone, continues to inspire us to power through this ongoing struggle.”
Another P10 million in cash donation was turned over to the Lung Center of the Philippines. Meanwhile, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), San Lazaro Hospital, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, and East Avenue Medical Center received P2 million each. The balance P8,452,094 was donated to Philippine Heart Center, Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Quezon Institute, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, and Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center.
Dr. Edmund Villaroman, President of Lung Center of the Philippines Physicians’ Association also gave his thanks to everyone who donated their points: “The amount donated by Globe and their customers is of significant help for all of us at Lung Center. This would allow our frontliners and other medical staff to be safer and better equipped in fighting the pandemic, ensuring in turn, the health and wellness of the larger Filipino community.”
Last March 5, Globe, together with BPI and Ayala Foundation also donated P5M worth of surgical masks to the Philippine Red Cross. In addition, the telco has provided communications support through free unli internet connection via its GoWiFi services since March 13 to 68 public and private hospitals across the country.
“We would like to give our sincerest thanks to our customers who have made such an overwhelming aid to our medical frontliners possible,” said Ernest Cu, President and CEO at Globe. “The success of this effort proves that solidarity and cooperation, despite challenges brought by social distancing and isolation, can make a huge difference in containing the spread and harm of COVID-19.”
Globe has extended the validity of Rewards points earned in 2019 from March 31 to June 30, 2020 to help customers donate and enjoy using their points while staying connected and #SafeAtHome. The telco has also extended the bill payment due dates for its mobile and broadband postpaid customers, including business and enterprise clients nationwide, to May 15. This in effect, gives customers up to 60 days of bills payment extension equivalent to two months of unpaid bills.
Globe encourages all its mobile and broadband customers to stay updated on the developments on COVID-19 with access to the official sites of DOH, NDRRMC and PIA free of data charges.
To know more about Globe’s response to COVID-19, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/stay-