Robinsons Supermarket employees lead Bayahinan spirit post-Mindanao quake

Through an initial seed donation of Php2 million from the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), relief operations kicked off in Davao City with employees of Robinsons Supermarket and URC Flour Division driving the initiative to pack emergency goods for distribution to earthquake-affected families in Mindanao.

Ten thousand emergency food packs were prepared by some 150 volunteer workers composed of employees of Robinsons Supermarket Cybergate and Robinsons Supermarket Abreeza, together with employees from URC Flour and Pasta Division's plant in Sasa, Davao. Several student volunteers also joined in the packing operations at Abreeza Mall.

“The urgency of the need to assist our brothers in Mindanao galvanized our employees to volunteer their time on a moment’s call during a weekend. The spirit of bayanihan was evident with different groups working together for a common purpose. It is truly gratifying to see our employees willingly doing their share for this worthy cause,” said Jody Gadia, Robinsons Supermarket Managing Director.

Led by Joseph Castro Gravidez, Operations Manager of Robinsons Supermarket, the volunteers prepared the relief packs consisting of rice, Refresh mineral water, Robinsons Supermarket bottled water, URC sugar, Great Taste coffee, Blend 45 coffee, Payless instant noodles, Nissin cup noodles, Magic Flakes crackers, Cream-O biscuits, and Presto biscuits.

The volunteers worked on the repacking on a 24-hour shift in order to immediately ship the items to Task Force Davao based in Santa Ana wharf. Donations were delivered to the task care of Col. Consolito Yecla.

The City Government of Davao led by Mayor Sarah Duterte have organized an ongoing relief and distribution operations for earthquake affected areas of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato.