INAEC supports Malampaya opsINAEC Aviation Corp. stepped up operations during the lockdown, providing continuous service to customers while complying with enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) health and safety protocols.
The ECQ imposed on Metro Manila beginning March 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in restrictions on land, air and sea travel. With airlines unable to operate and all flights canceled, INAEC proved that its air charter service was up to the task.
As the helicopter transport provider of Shell Philippines Exploration B.V. (SPEX), which operates the Malampaya project off the coast of Palawan, INAEC transported SPEX personnel from their homes in Metro Manila and surrounding areas to and from the Malampaya platform.
“There was no question in our minds that for us to continue to operate our business despite the growing concerns on COVID, we had to take care of our clients and our people. We established a work from home program for our employees last year. And because we had protocols and resources in place as early as February, we transitioned into this new normal with relative ease. We were equipped for it before the ECQ was declared. When SPEX asked us for support, we were ready,” said INAEC general manager Dexter Ampong.
On March 18, 2020, less than a week from the ECQ announcement, INAEC began carrying SPEX’s personnel and cargo from its hangar in Pasay City to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, using its Beechcraft Super King Air 350 aircraft or utilizing chartered aircraft from AirSWIFT Airlines.
“We are grateful to INAEC for the operational readiness they demonstrated during this crisis.
What we have accomplished at this time exhibited genuine business partnership between SPEX and INAEC as it showed flexibility in navigating through this very fluid situation,” said SPEX senior supply chain manager Angelo Kris Marcos.
SPEX supply chain delivery manager Kim Makabali added: “Without INAEC’s support, our ability to supply the much-needed power for Luzon would have been adversely affected. From getting the charter together and ensuring that personnel movement proceeded as scheduled, to the use of its facilities and securing the permits for the flights, INAEC made it all possible. Although this is only the beginning and likely we will have more hurdles to overcome, it gives me great comfort to know that we have the right team working together to ensure that lightbulbs remain lit in this difficult and unprecedented time.”
“INAEC continues to be an important partner in the safe, reliable and efficient operations of the Malampaya facilities, especially during the ECQ. With INAEC’s support, the Malampaya crew was able to mobilize and demobilize safely to and from the platform, allowing the continuous supply of gas to power plants that supply a substantial portion of the country’s energy requirement. The INAEC team proactively and quickly adapted to the needs of Malampaya, including making sure that the risk of COVID infection is minimized during flight and appropriate permits are in place. The community of Palawan has also benefited indirectly from the INAEC-organized flights as it allowed the DOH [Department of Health] to transfer essential medical supplies to and from Palawan,” said SPEX managing director Don Paulino
INAEC president Benjamin R. Lopez said: “We are also thankful for the trust SPEX showed by choosing us. Our passion for safety has always been part of what INAEC is all about. But, beyond that, our desire to be of service to our clients, and to our country as well, drives us to do better. This pandemic gave us the opportunity to combine these values—safety and service—to create a coordinated, organized and effective response to the challenges posed by COVID-19. We have protocols in place to address every level of our operations, from booking to check-in, from departure to arrival. I am proud to say that INAEC is the gold standard in Philippine air charter operations when it comes to COVID response.”
SPEX could not afford a disruption in the operations of the Malampaya project, which supplies power to Luzon, including those used by essential services such as government offices, hospitals and other health care institutions. The Department of Energy thus issued a memorandum allowing energy personnel, including third party contractors, to travel and perform their work in areas covered by the community quarantine to ensure the unimpeded supply of energy.
INAEC’s services for SPEX required preparations made long before COVID-19 prompted the lockdown
In the last quarter of 2019, INAEC rolled out its work from home program to help its employees deal with the traffic situation in Metro Manila. As news about COVID-19 unfolded in January 2020, INAEC developed procedures for frequent handwashing, travel precautions, physical distancing and health screening for its personnel and passengers. INAEC then distributed face masks and alcohol to all its employees. It also procured disinfectants for its aircraft, hangars and equipment.
A general community quarantine remains in effect in Metro Manila. INAEC continues to carry SPEX personnel to and from its hangar at the Manila Domestic Airport and Puerto Princesa, Palawan, at least two times weekly. Since its first flight in March, INAEC has transported 588 passengers as of June 4, 2020.
INAEC also has hangar facilities at Clark airport and El Nido, Palawan.
INAEC president Benjamin R. Lopez
INAEC general manager Dexter Ampong
SPEX supply chain delivery manager Kim Makabali
SPEX senior supply chain manager Angelo Kris Marcos
SPEX managing director Don Paulino
Aircraft disinfection is one of the safety protocols in place at INAEC; the company procured disinfectants for its aircraft, hangars and equipment as news about COVID-19 started to spread early this year
(Story/Photos by: Maila Banaag)
Published on Thursday, 20 August 2020 | Hits:1074
Kapamilya love reached more Filipinos as ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s (AFI) “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig: Isang Daan, Isang Pamilya” campaign distributed food packs and ligtas bags outside Metro Manila for those greatly
Published on Thursday, 18 June 2020 | Hits:1059
Local government units (LGUs) found it challenging to quickly provide relief to families affected by the quarantine. That is why several mayors in Metro Manila and nearby provinces have expressed
Published on Thursday, 18 June 2020 | Hits:1000
As Filipino families continue to struggle with the loss of jobs, ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) moves to the second phase of the “Pantawid ng Pagibig” campaign with the aim of
Published on Tuesday, 19 May 2020 | Hits:1158
The “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” campaign of ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI) has raised P350 million in cash donations and pledges for the benefit of over 600,000 families in Metro
Published on Thursday, 06 February 2020 | Hits:1070
NO evacuee will be left behind. This is the promise of ABSCBN as it launches the “Tulong-Tulong sa Taal” campaign, which aims to unite the nation in helping Filipinos affected
Published on Friday, 23 June 2017 | Hits:4956
ABS-CBN Foundation Europe CIO joins public and private support for the victims of the massive fire that hit the 24-storey residential London Grenfell Tower in West London on June 14
Published on Friday, 17 February 2017 | Hits:5136
A state of calamity has been declared by the Mayor of Surigao City. Relief and rescue operations are underway for the barangays that have been affected.
Published on Tuesday, 19 May 2020 | Hits:1876
The Rural Workers Association of San Rafael (RWASR) based in Bulusan, Sorsogon, which runs Nasipit Eco-Agri Farm, has a simple message for their fellow Filipinos: “There is no problem we
Published on Thursday, 16 April 2020 | Hits:1669
ABS-CBN helps arm Filipinos with relevant information to stop the spread of disease through its “Ligtas Pilipinas sa COVID-19” campaign on radio, TV and online.
Published on Thursday, 16 April 2020 | Hits:1812
HELP came through for health workers in East Avenue Medical Center after ABS-CBN delivered masks and other protective gear and snacks to show support and Kapamilya love to those leading
Published on Monday, 09 March 2020 | Hits:1490
“Maraming, maraming salamat po sa award na ipinagkaloob ninyo sa amin. Alay namin ito sa kapatid kong si Gina Lopez,” said “G Diaries” host and Bantay Bata 163 executive director
Published on Monday, 09 March 2020 | Hits:1534
She could hardly contain her joy and excitement when she saw her son walking towards her. She welcomed him with tight hugs and happy tears as a loving mother would
Published on Monday, 09 March 2020 | Hits:1431
ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. (ALKFI) renamed its building Gina Lopez Building in honor of its late chairperson and founder of ALKFI programs Bantay Bata 163 and Bantay Kalikasan.
Published on Thursday, 06 February 2020 | Hits:1518
ACCORDING to UNICEF, 95 children in the Philippines die every day because of malnutrition. This is one of the reasons Alaska Milk Corporation supports the advocacy of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya
Published on Monday, 16 December 2019 | Hits:2273
IN 2015, Unicef and the Council for the Welfare of Children conducted the National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children in the Philippines, which indicated that eight out of 10
Published on Friday, 05 January 2018 | Hits:1949
For the Love of Children For the Love of Children These children live everyday making ends meet without losing hope that a better future awaits them. Together, let’s keep their hopes alive
Published on Wednesday, 20 December 2017 | Hits:2307
New World Hotels and Resorts gears up for another exciting edition of Run & Raise in 2018. Now on its fourth year, Run & Raise 4 will be held at