The project management team (PMT) of PGPC Tiwi has completed the provision of house reconstruction materials to its workers affected by super typhoon Rolly. With sustained winds of up to 225 kilometers per hour, the storm barreled across Luzon, displacing over 400,000 families in the Bicol region. It was in Tiwi, Albay where the typhoon had its second landfall in the early morning of Nov. 1.

Anticipating its arrival, project manager Honorato Dalawampu recalled what seemed to him a feeling of unease that lasted for eight long hours.

“There were different sounds coming from everywhere: flying metal sheets, howling winds, the noise of our steel roofing being pounded by the storm. When it was all over, it was heartbreaking to see what happened in our community,” he said.

When the typhoon left the region, the project team immediately worked on accounting for its employees and assessing the impact of the typhoon on its operations. First Balfour provided reconstruction materials which included GI roofing sheets, lumber and plywood to 148 employees whose houses were damaged by the storm.

Tabang Kapamilya

Aside from building materials amounting to over P830,000, First Balfour sent food packs with rice, canned meats and noodles to all 187 employees assigned in Tiwi. The food packs were bought using funds raised through “Tabang Kapamilya,” an internal employee donation drive which gathered over P167,000 worth of donations.

“When updates on the impact of typhoon Rolly hit national news, I began receiving inquiries from our fellow employees if the company will be launching a donation drive. During difficult times like these (with the current emotional toll brought about by the pandemic), it is very comforting to know that First Balfour employees are still willing to help,” said HR employee relations section head Anchel Cruz.

The project remains in close coordination with the local government unit of Tiwi to ensure that urgent needs of the community are being addressed. Over the past weeks it also provided logistical support in various clearing operations and delivered food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, among other efforts. (Story by: Dolly Pasia-Ramos)