October 2, 2020

Cargill Philippines sets aside US$413,034 for COVID-19 relief efforts

Cargill Philippines invested PHP20 million (US$413,034) to help address food security problems in the Philippines brought by COVID-19.

Sonny Catacutan, president of Cargill Philippines said that the majority of the investment is allocated to food security intervention programmes.

"We remain committed to working with the Philippine government, and the immediate communities we operate in. There's no better time than now for all sectors to remain united as we weather the long-term effects of this pandemic on food security," Catacutan said.

Through Cargill Philippines' partner organisations, Rise Against Hunger and ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, the company had given assistance to more than 370,000 beneficiaries via monetary and food donations, 300 food packs to medical frontliners, and donated 1,800 kilogrammes of frozen chicken.

Cargill Oil Mills Philippines, Inc., a subsidiary of Cargill Philippines, has also distributed 1,700 kilogrammes of rice to beneficiaries in Laguna and General Santos City. The company's poultry meat unit, Cargill Joy Poultry Production, Inc., has donated more than 630,000 eggs and 60,000 live birds to provide livelihood and food.

Food For Hungry Minds School, an educational charity that builds schools for disadvantaged children, was also one of Cargill Philippines' beneficiaries of relief packs consisting of food, hygiene products and WiFi broadband kits to their 500 students.

Catacutan said Cargill made efforts to continue its food supply chains to provide consumers stable access to affordable and nutritious food.

"As a business engaged in agriculture and food production, we are cognisant of our responsibility to keep the food supply chains going," he said.

"Despite the restrictions brought about by the efforts to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on public health and safety, we have kept our operations going across all our business units," Catacutan added.

- Business World