MANILA, PHILIPPINES — AirAsia has officially activated its disaster response program alwaysREDy to bring the much-needed help to Filipinos affected by typhoons and other calamities in the country.
alwaysREDy: anytime, anywhere is AirAsia Philippines’ quick response program under its Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability initiative which is backed by long-time partners Philippine Air Force, Christ’s Commission Foundation Ministries, Inc. (CCF), and New Life Community Care Foundation (NLCOM). It aims to widen the reach of the disaster relief efforts to more communities regardless of time and location.
AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said, “It is timely that we are activating this program especially now that the rainy season has already started and we are still facing different calamities such as the eruption of Mt. Taal and sporadic earthquakes. alwaysREDy: anytime, anywhere breaks the norm of providing help when needed only.
“More than disaster response, AirAsia and its partners aim to make this disaster preparedness program sustainable. Beyond sending help, we would like to educate the public in preparing for any disaster so they would know what to do in any eventualities.”
Aside from providing air travel, cargo and logistics assistance, AirAsia prides its human assets with 99 Reservists in the Philippine Air Force and 36 Peer Supporter who are professionally trained to conduct peer counselling for victims of calamities and disasters.
AirAsia Philippines CFO Ray Berja said, “This is the heart of AirAsia and its shareholders. Amidst the challenges we face, our desire to bring help remains steadfast anytime, anywhere. Our collaboration with different organizations brings forth the “Bayanihan” spirit. By the grace of God, we are alwaysREDy anytime, anywhere to assist our countrymen in their time of need.”
The symbolic signing of agreement and exchange of tokens was attended by AirAsia CEO Ricky Isla, AirAsia CFO Ray Berja, Director of Flight Operations Capt. Gomer Monreal, Spokesperson and Communications & Public Affairs Head Steve Dailisan, PAF 1st ARCen Commanding Officer LTC Ritza Ann Jovellanos, NLCOM Executive Director Paulino Giague Jr., and CCF Ministry Head Jesus Tan.
Philippine Air Force 1st Air Reserve Center Commanding Officer LTC Ritza Ann M. Jovellanos said, “The Philippine Air Force has always been a strong partner of AirAsia in humanitarian missions and services including the mounting of special humanitarian flights for emergency and disaster management. Rest assured that alwaysREDy will have our all-out support, be it from our uniformed personnel or your Allstar reservists, anytime, anywhere.”
NLCOM Executive Director Paulino Giague Jr. said, “New Life Community Care Foundation’s heart to Respond, Reach out and Rebuild has been expressed through our Hope Alive Campaign which we launched last year. Our gratitude to AirAsia for letting us take part in their AlwaysREDy campaign. Together with them and the rest of our partners and friends, we continue to make a difference!”
Christ’s Commission Foundation Ministries, Inc., Jesus Tan said, “Looking back, we started with no funding and support. We are very thankful for this partnership as this also opened collaboration and support from other groups and organizations. Together with AirAsia, we will always be alwaysREDy to serve and help our fellow Filipinos. Together, we will all be blessed to be a blessing.”
Last year AirAsia, CCF, NLCOM, and other partners like the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation and Liter of Light Foundation delivered food packs, clothes, personal hygiene kits, and solar-powered lights to typhoon-stricken residents of Cagayan Province, Isabela and Catanduanes. Allstar reservists and other uniformed staff from the PAF 1st ARCen meanwhile served as the muscle for the relief efforts. The project helped alleviate the lives of at least 20,000 affected families.
To date, AirAsia has distributed more than 2,000 alwaysREDy care kits, food packs and other essentials to its passengers and community pantries.
The alwaysREDy team has also participated in the recent coastal clean-up and coral retransplantation in Bohol as part of its sustainability initiatives.
