This marks the second year of the partnership that aims to provide aid to communities most affected by calamities.
Unilever Philippines and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) have renewed their long-term partnership to aid calamity and emergency-stricken communities across the country.
In Photo: Unilever leaders led by Atty. Joseph Fabul, Rondell Torres, and Lavin Gonzaga alongside PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon, Secretary General Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, Assistant Secretary General. Ramon Murillo, and Fund General Manager Mr. Michael Jalbuena, and Unilever alumnus Ed Sunico.
Through the partnership, Unilever Philippines supports nationwide calamity response by providing sanitation products and training volunteers in calamity response.
Unilever Philippines Sustainability Lead, Rondell Torres shares that working with the Philippine Red Cross is an opportunity to serve even more Filipino communities and families, especially during challenging times. “Unilever Philippines is proud to stand with the PRC and all Filipinos in solidarity and malasakit through our brands and our teams to truly make sustainable living commonplace,” Torres shares.
The partnership is part of Unilever’s Get Involved and Enable Sustainability (Unilever GIVES) program, which enables employees and partners to participate in sustainability and volunteer efforts.
Unilever and PRC have conducted various internal humanitarian activities in the past, including calamity response activities during the recent eruptions of Taal Volcano and the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, Unilever Philippines launched the Malasakit for All program, which provided PhP4 million worth of sanitation and hygiene products, ventilators to various hospitals across the country, and freezers to house COVID-19 vaccines.
“Collaboration is key in responding to the needs of our countrymen, especially during times of crisis,” reiterates the Chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, Richard J. Gordon. “We reaffirm our commitment to work together in serving communities with malasakit and compassion.” Gordon continues that PRC looks forward to a fruitful partnership in their shared mission of building sustainable and resilient Filipino communities, where everyone can live in dignity and support one another.
In 2021, both parties teamed up to promote handwashing at different schools during Global Handwashing Day, in time for the return of face-to-face classes. The PRC has also been a staple partner in Unilever’s Safety, Health, and Environment team to train emergency and first aid volunteers and conduct blood-letting activities.
Dr. Gwendolyn T. Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross, shares the partnership is crucial especially when addressing the needs of vulnerable communities. Pang explains, “With our joint efforts and resources, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected. We are grateful for this partnership, and we are committed to working closely with Unilever Philippines towards our shared vision of a more resilient and sustainable Philippines.”
