Manila, Philippines – Science-based technology company 3M has joined with not-for-profit organization United Way (UW) Worldwide to support relief projects across the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) that are helping the most vulnerable people in society impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
The Philippines is one of eight countries across APACreceiving a share of a 3M grant totalling $950,000—or over Php 46 million—which is being directed to projects supporting nutrition, mental and physical health, education and COVID-19 awareness, according to the most pressing local needs and country status of the pandemic.
Philippine Business for Social Progress, the local UW organization, is working with 3M Philippines to implement distribution of essential food packs and health education materials for 3,800 low-income households in Metro Manila, Cebu and Marawi. In addition, approximately 900 PPEs and hygiene kits will be distributed to healthcare workers through identified hospitals and isolation facilities.
“It’s important that 3M holds true to its core values during this pandemic by supporting our communities and improving lives” said Bettina Luz, President and Country Leader of 3M Philippines. “The projects with United Way form part of a $20 million commitment made by 3M at a corporate level to support COVID-19 relief projects globally, and we’re grateful that some(US$100,000 or Php 5Million ) of this funding is helping the low-income households in Metro Manila, Cebu and Marawi for nutritional and health information support as well as extending additional personal protection equipment (PPE) to the heroic healthcare workersduring these exceptional times”.
United Way Worldwide has been helping communities in need for more than 130 years, but the scale of the COVID-19 crisis and its far-reaching impact on people’s health, social mobility, income and job security—factors that are essential to wellbeing—has posed new challenges.
“We are grateful for the grant extended by 3M as this will feed more families and help our healthcare workers who are needing so much support at this time. The items in the food packs will also be sourced from farmers’ cooperatives so this is also providing livelihood for our local farmers and businesses” said Elvin Ian Uy, Deputy Executive Director of Philippine Business for Social Progress. “Together, we can make a real difference to people’s quality of life as we navigate through the coronavirus pandemic”.
The efforts come in addition to a grant provided to Project Damayan of Caritas Manila released through Global Giving, as well as personal protection equipment (PPE) donations made to Philippine National Red Cross and several private and public hospitals in the country aimed to support those affected by the pandemic. Earlier in the year during the height of the Taal Volcano eruption, 3M Philippines also provided PPE donations to World Vision Philippines, the Philippine National Red Cross and other first responders.
