AC Motors mounts relief mission for Batangas
Lined-up in front of the Batangas Government office are ten units of Kia K2500 “Karga” utility vehicles donated by AC Motors to ease and enhance the relief efforts for the Taal eruption evacuees. ARDIE O. LOPEZ
Nearly 200,000 people from towns surrounding Taal Volcano were displaced since its eruption last Jan. 12, and a vast majority of them ended up in evacuation centers all over Batangas province. Well over a week since that fateful day, the evacuees go through the hardships of not being able to go back to their homes due to the threat of an even bigger eruption amidst numerous earth fissures and tremors that have appeared and continue to take place. The outpouring of support from the public for the evacuees in terms of food and relief goods have been very encouraging as of late, but unfortunately the need for help will be for the long term.
AC (Ayala) Motors have recognized this need and heeded the call by mounting a massive relief mission for Batangas. Motoring journalists volunteered to drive most of AC Motors’ vehicles from their various brands Kia, Maxus, Isuzu, Volkswagen and Honda, in a 30-car convoy loaded with relief goods that took off from Manila and headed straight to the Batangas City Municipal Hall.
“Batangas Magiting”, meaning Batangueños are innately heroic and brave- the battle cry of the locals supporting their brethren in need; approximately 150 families received relief goods from the team who drove to Sta. Teresita. ARDIE O. LOPEZ
Once there, 10 units of Kia K2500 Karga utility vehicles were donated and officially turned over to Batangas City’s Governor by Ruel Maranan, president of the Ayala Foundation. Also present to provide hands-on support were Manny Aligada, president of Kia Ph, and Felipe Estrella, president of Volkswagen Ph and Maxus Ph. Nona Ong, president of Honda and Isuzu Ayala dealerships joined in to help as well. The Kia K2500’s are equipped with powerful 2.5-liter diesel engines, and have seating for 19 that can be converted into huge cargo space—more than ideal for the crucial transport of people and/or essential supplies. These vehicles by now have been deployed to aid the various towns affected by the eruption.
The media volunteers along with the AC Motors teams in the remaining 20 vehicles promptly headed out to distribute relief goods to six evacuation centers situated in the Batangas towns of Alitagtag, Sta. Teresita, San Jose, San Luis, Padre Garcia, and Mataas na Kahoy. Blankets, mattresses, mats, towels, fresh underwear and hygiene kits were pre-packed and systematically handed out to hundreds of evacuees, some in locations that have not been reached by previous relief efforts.
Remaining supplies were left for distribution by the Governor’s office to three other evacuation centers in Calaca, Balayan and Rosario in Batangas.
The 30-car convoy loaded with relief goods took off from Manila and headed straight to the Batangas City Municipal Hall. RON DE LOS REYES
Joining many others, institutions and individuals alike, who have extended much needed help to our countrymen in light of this major calamity, AC Motors and its media volunteers are hoping that others will be inspired to take part in the relief efforts, and continue to support it as long as there is a need.
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