Tycoons committed to being partners of government

MANILA, Philippines — Tycoons Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Manuel V. Pangilinan have accepted the olive branch extended by President Duterte and voiced their commitment to be partners of the government in addressing the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a recorded televised address Monday night, Duterte apologized to the businessmen, saying the COVID-19 crisis had humbled him and made him acknowledge their vast contribution to easing the plight of Filipinos amid the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 humbled me with the kind of response that you gave to the public. It’s a humbling experience for me, baka kailangan mo rin sila (I might need them),” Duterte said.

Last year, the President began attacking the Ayala and Pangilinan groups over what he considered “onerous provisions” in their water concessionaire contracts with the government.

The Ayala Group owns Manila Water Co., the east zone water concessionaire. The Pangilinan-led Maynilad Water Services Inc. is the country’s west zone concessionaire.

Pangilinan thanked the President for his remarks. “I would like to thank the President… most especially for his sincerity and kindness,” Pangilinan said.

He also assured the President that the MVP Group is committed to helping the government address the COVID-19 crisis.

“I wish to assure him that our Group is fully committed to being a partner of government in addressing the heartbreaking moments of COVID-19 on our people, in building a better tomorrow for them. We are and have always been here for our country,” Pangilinan said.

Maynilad recently turned over 100 isolation tents and hygiene kits to the University of the Philippines Alpha Sigma Fraternity Alumni Association, which is setting up a new 100-bed quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients at UP Diliman, Quezon City.

The turnover of isolation tents was led by Maynilad government relations head and UP alumna Antonette de Ocampo. Also among the donated items were shower and toilet facilities, beddings/mattresses and water dispensers.

“As our country continues to battle this pandemic, we will continue to provide whatever assistance we can extend, to help reinforce the government’s COVID-19 relief efforts,” Maynilad said.

In a joint statement, the Zobel brothers said they are grateful to President Duterte for his statement at the briefing.

“We have always believed in building a strong partnership between the private and public sectors in addressing our country’s problems and in investing in the country to create jobs and improve the lives of Filipinos,” they said.

“We appreciate the recognition of the Ayala Group’s efforts in supporting the administration as it faces the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” they added.

“We are confident that by working together, our country can overcome each challenge, save lives and gradually put the country back on a path of growth.”  – Rhodina Villanueva