MVP stresses solidarity with gov’t on ‘One Nation, One Prayer’

MANILA, Philippines - Businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan has reiterated support for government efforts to rebuild the communities devastated by both natural and man-made disasters, as he expressed solidarity with the Aquino administration’s initiative to hold a prayer rally in remembrance of lives lost, consolation of the afflicted, and gratitude for God’s blessings. 

This developed as Jose Rene Almendras, secretary to the Cabinet, announced the holding of “Isang Bansa, Isang Panalangin” (One Nation, One Prayer), an inter-faith prayer rally to be led by President Aquino at the grounds of Malacañang on Monday.

“We are one with the government in praying for the souls of those we have lost to tragedies that beset our beloved country recently,” Pangilinan, more known by his initials MVP, said. “I invite you also to join us on Monday in saying our thanks to the Almighty for His graces, as well as in celebrating the resilience of the Filipino people to rise up from all this devastation.” 

He directed the top executives and other officials of the MVP Group of Companies to help in getting support from across the country for the prayer rally, which will be aired live from the Palace and attended by representatives from the different religions, civil society, and other stakeholders.

“It is only fitting that we will help support this government initiative, as the MVP Group has been in the forefront of search-and-rescue and relief operations in the disaster-stricken areas across the country,” Michael Toledo, SVP for Corporate Affairs at Philex Mining and the group’s media bureau head, said. “A nation united in prayer can rise above adversity.” 

In a flyer disseminated to the business community and other sectors, the government noted the tragedies that hit the nation in 2013, describing these as having tested the Filipino people’s “resolve and seemingly blurring the stable, peaceful, and prosperous future that had already come within reach.”

It added: “But the Filipino refused to yield. The world came to witness the incredible fortitude of our nation. They have seen how our unshakeable faith has become a wellspring of strength, solidarity, and determination: whether in times of tragedy or during new beginnings, we have always come together, bound by collective hope and belief in a compassionate, benevolent Almighty.” 

In an earlier statement, Toledo said Philex Mining and its subsidiaries have continued helping the survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda, one of the strongest typhoons in recorded history that made landfall in the Visayas on Nov. 8; the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit the provinces of Bohol and Cebu on Oct. 15, and the communities affected by the Sept. 9 armed conflict in Zamboanga City, where Moro rebels staged a siege against the government.

Pangilinan and his group’s social-action arm, Tulong Kapatid, have expressed several times before their willingness to help both local and national governments in their efforts to help rebuild the communities devastated by calamities. 

Tulong Kapatid has repeatedly deployed its rescue team, composed of miners from Philex Mining, and medical personnel from the hospital group of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), as well as distributed goods to and put up soup kitchens, and built homes for the calamity-affected residents in various parts of the country.

This move was – and is – in line with the group’s holistic approach to providing aid in times of disaster,” Toledo said.

He stressed that the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), for instance, has helped restore power in the affected areas while the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and its subsidiary, Smart Communications, have provided free telecom services to affected residents.

The Manila North Tollways Corp. (MNTC), on the other hand, has helped in the easy transport of relief goods while Maynilad Services, Inc. provided bottled water to the survivors in evacuation centers.

Headquartered at the compound of Meralco on Ortigas Ave., the Tulong Kapatid Center was launched in December. It was set up through the combined efforts of Maynilad, PLDT-Smart Foundation, Inc., MPIC, MNTC, One Meralco Foundation, TV-5’s Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc., MPIC Hospital Group, and Philex Mining.