The MVP Group of Companies has become a partner of the Department of Health (DOH) in its BIDA Solusyon Campaign which encourages all sectors to comply with science-backed behavioral changes in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The partnership is a great avenue to empower Filipinos in every sector for a whole-of-nation, whole-of-government approach in rising above the pandemic.

This public-private partnership ensures the wider public’s compliance with the minimum health standards, which include wearing face masks and face shields in public spaces, regular and proper handwashing, and physical distancing of one meter, among many others.

“Sa mga nakaraang buwan na hinarap natin ang banta ng COVID-19, marami tayong natutunan ukol sa pagpapalakas ng health system response—pinakamahalaga rito ang pangangailangan ng isang whole-of-nation approach para i-angat ang sambayanang Pilipino,” said Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III.

One of these key partnerships is with the MVP Group of Companies, whose contribution repurposed a building of the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) into the Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID), a dedicated COVID-19 facility.

“Taos-puso ang pasasalamat ko sa MVP Group of Companies, na sa kanilang suporta, naipundar natin ang Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases (CERID) sa EAMC upang higit na makabigay ng angkop na serbisyo sa taongbayan, lalo na sa harap ng pandemya ng COVID-19. Isa ring malaking karangalan ang maging kasangga ang ating mga industry leaders tulad ng MERALCO at PLDT na labanan ang COVID-19,” said Sec. Duque.

The health secretary also added that the partnership with the MVP Group of Companies is a great leap in further bolstering the Philippines’ healthcare system.

“At ngayong araw, dahil sa tulong at pagiging bukas ng ating partners lalo na sa pribadong sektor, kumpiyansa ako that by working together, Universal Healthcare or UHC will not remain as mere aspiration but shall be the New Normal for every Filipino.,” Sec. Duque said.

Manuel V Pangilinan, Chairman of the MVP Group of Companies, also stated the vision behind his conglomerate’s participation in the campaign: “On behalf of all our Companies and our Foundations, I would like to pledge our support to promote the values of BIDA not just in our businesses, but in our daily lives as well. We are hoping that through our Group’s contribution, we could help the real BIDA who are central to our businesses—the Filipino people, the Filipino consumers,”

In addition, MVP Group of Companies pledged to promote BIDA Solusyon, committed to help build consumer confidence through the widespread adoption of the campaign’s objectives and to release BIDA Solusyon information materials through their existing channels.

These channels include physical stores and business centers under the group such as PLDT-Smart stores nationwide, Meralco Bayad Centers, and the Light Rail Manila Corporation; tollroads in NLEx, CAVITEx, and CALAx which will be equipped with contactless RFID payment in toll booths; and Maynilad which will set up contactless hand wash stations with liquid soap to further promote handwashing.

Meanwhile, Metro Pacific Hospital Holdings Inc. has formed a COVID Crisis Management Team to ensure the safety and welfare of their healthcare workers so they can continue to provide services to Filipinos.

Apart from refurbishing the CERID, the MERALCO One Foundation, PLDT-Smart Foundation, and the MVP Foundation also donated about PHP 45-million worth of medical supplies and machines, such as hospital beds, mechanical ventilators, cardiac monitors, and personal air purification systems among others.

Meanwhile, Communications Technical Advisor to DOH Amor Maclang explained that being a BIDA partner also means increasing the safety levels in the company.

“Like in the movies, lahat may BIDA and there has never been an easier time na maging BIDA in this movie than now. The Filipino is a hero. Lahat po tayo ay BIDA at napakasimpleng itong gawin, by simply complying with the minimum health standards designed to protect us and our loved ones,” Maclang stressed.

In concluding the event, Sec. Duque called for the Filipinos unity in the face of a health crisis.

“Sa panahon ng krisis at kalamidad kailangan na magsama-sama tayo upang malampasan ang mga hamon na ating hinaharap at makabangon nang mas matatag,” Sec. Duque stressed.