In the wake of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck parts of Mindanao on June 8, Aboitiz Foods, through Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corporation (Pilmico), partnered with Aboitiz Foundation Inc. to mobilize relief operations in support of affected families across General Santos City and Glan, Sarangani Province.
Following the powerful earthquake, which disrupted essential services and damaged homes and infrastructure across parts of Mindanao, access to clean drinking water quickly emerged as a critical need for affected communities.
In response, Aboitiz Foods team members worked alongside local government units and community partners to deliver 1,850 cases of bottled water and 1,000 relief packs containing rice and non-perishable food items. The assistance reached families in five barangays, two hospitals, and several evacuation areas across General Santos City, Glan, and Malapatan through a multi-wave relief effort.
“We recognize that our responsibility extends beyond the footprint of our operations to standing alongside our communities during difficult times,” said Joeben Gamatero II, Vice President for Agribusiness Marketing and Brand & Reputation Management at Aboitiz Foods. “We hope that our relief operations can help provide stability for affected families as they begin rebuilding their lives after the earthquake.”
Beyond providing immediate assistance, the initiative also reinforced the importance of collective action in responding to disasters.
Volunteerism in Action
Putting Aboitiz Foods’ core values of responsibility and teamwork into action, the response highlighted the spirit of volunteerism among team members, who worked across functions to mobilize resources and ensure aid reached communities as quickly as possible.
For Disney Paquingan-Sususco, Regional Sales Manager for Feeds Sales – Gamefowl, the experience underscored the power of teamwork during times of crisis.
“Seeing everyone unite behind a common purpose and work together to deliver assistance was inspiring,” she shared. “This experience reminded me that leadership is about stepping up when action is needed, bringing people together, and staying focused on the impact we want to create.”
Similarly, Christian Rey Pepugal, Territory Business Manager for Feeds Sales – Livestock, described the relief operations as both humbling and eye-opening.
“More than distributing relief goods, the operation was about showing people that they were not alone,” he said. “Seeing the gratitude and resilience of affected families made all the long hours and hard work worthwhile.”
Their experiences not only highlighted the importance of timely assistance but also gave them a firsthand view of the resilience and determination of communities working together to recover from the disaster.
Building Resilient Communities Together
For Aboitiz Foods team members on the ground, witnessing the realities faced by families who had lost their homes, possessions, and, in the most heartbreaking cases, their loved ones was both humbling and eye-opening. Despite these challenges, many families remained hopeful and determined to rebuild.
These encounters served as a powerful reminder that, beyond restoring physical structures, disaster response efforts help affected families regain a sense of stability, dignity, and reassurance that they are not facing the rebuilding journey alone.
Guided by its purpose of sustainably feeding Asia’s growth and its core values of responsibility and teamwork, Aboitiz Foods continues to implement initiatives that foster collective action, preparedness, and long-term development. By working alongside local government partners and communities, the company aims to help build a stronger and more resilient future for all.
For more information, visit https://www.aboitizfoods.com/
