MANILA, Philippines – The coronavirus health crisis reached an all-time high of more than 4.5 million cases worldwide and claimed over 300,000 lives. In the Philippines, total number of cases reached more than 12,000, 64 percent of which are located in the National Capital Region. This pandemic spread fear, confusion, and anxiety. It also affected world economies and global health management practices. Amidst all these negative impacts, the spirit of unity, teamwork, and collaboration proved to be stronger than the virus.
The key to survive this health crisis is neither through power nor wealth. The spirit of humanity shone brightly as the government, private sector, non-government organizations and the civil society joined hands to face this invisible threat.
At the onset, the national government urges private organizations to support its effort to combat COVID-19. ARC Refreshments Corp (ARC) heeds the call for a united front against coronavirus with a series of events that aim to promote safety, inspire cooperation and encourage people to donate to COVID-related causes. Recently, ARC extends support to the city government of Manila as it prepares for the move to the ‘new normal’.
Bracing Manila for the ‘new normal’
Mayor Isko Moreno expects Manila to be placed under MECQ on May 16. This will ease down restrictions and enable Manila citizens to start moving around their communities, rebuild their lives, and brace themselves for the ‘new normal’. Movement will still be restricted but Mayor Isko is optimistic that the city government is taking the right steps to prepare the city and its people.
One of the city’s immediate projects is to build quarantine facilities to house patients who will be tested positive once quarantine measures ease down to MECQ level. The first quarantine facility opened in San Andres earlier in May. The second facility was inaugurated on May 14 at the Araullo High School, UN Avenue, District 5, City of Manila.
JCI Manila spearheaded the project by converting Araullo High School gym into a COVID-19 quarantine facility. ARC supported this by providing wooden palettes that served as floorboards for the facility.
“I can honestly say to JCI Manila and its national leadership, na yung ginawa ninyo ngayon ay napakahalaga sa approach at plan in the coming weeks ng pamahalaang lungsod ng Maynila”, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno said during his inauguration speech. “Just to be safe and be very conservative, the City of Manila will brace itself in the coming months. While we balance between buhay and kabuhayan, we must confront COVID 19 altogether directly…Napakahalaga ng ginawa ng JCI Manila kasi isa sa plano ng lungsod ay palakasin, paigtingin ang testing ability ng City throughout the year so we can find possible COVID 19 carrier asap”.
Mayor Isko admits that the city government’s fight for COVID-19 will be more challenging by June 1. Living with the threat of COVID-19 seems to be the ‘new normal’. While testing people is one thing, ensuring that they are taken care of is another.
“We cannot continue testing people, turning positive through RPK and let them go. We must admit them for confirmatory tests. But mas safe na approach while waiting for confirmatory test, they must stay in a quarantine facility like what JCI Manila and the City of Manila partnership today”, Mayor Isko added.
The city government aims to build 500-bed quarantine facility. Mayor Isko highlighted that the JCI Manila project will be the model for succeeding facilities that will be built.
“ARC is one with the Filipino people’s fight against COVID-19. We want to show support in any way possible to help our local government address the safety of the people”, James Loverio, ARC Marketing Head remarked. “We hope to work with JCI Manila in their efforts to build quarantine facilities like this one”.
Simple gestures of support
ARC has been at the forefront of providing relief operations through its umbrella advocacy – #RCColaborate. For the fight against COVID-19, ARC kickstarted a benefit concert through its RC Cola Pvblic Jam, featuring live concerts of favorite Filipino artists in partnership with youth-oriented We the Pvblic social and entertainment media website. This was followed by relief efforts to various groups and communities nationwide.
To ease discomfort from the scorching heat when manning checkpoint areas, ARC employees distributed free cases of refreshments to frontliners in Metro Manila, North and South Luzon, and all the way to some parts in Visayas and Mindanao.
The sudden lockdown meant some people became stranded in various locations, like the 300 scholars of Dualtech Training Center, a private vocational school in Calamba, Laguna that pioneered the German Dual Training System in the Philippines. ARC served free drinks to these students during their stay at the training center.
Maintaining good relationship in time of crisis is equally important. ARC provides business support for its partners and dealers by providing promos, discounts and free products. These simple gestures enabled them to see a glimmer hope amidst the global health crisis.
ADVT