In the aftermath of the recent earthquakes that struck Cebu and Davao, two urgent needs stood out above all — water and power. Clean, safe water became the first lifeline for thousands of families, while restoring electricity was essential to stabilize hospitals, businesses, and homes.
Rising to meet these challenges, the Aboitiz Foundation, together with its partner business units under the OneAboitiz initiative, quickly mobilized to provide life-saving water, restore reliable power, extend critical relief, and lay the groundwork for long-term recovery.
Life-saving water for Cebu and Davao
In Cebu, Aboitiz Foundation and its business units delivered 100,681 liters of potable water to 11,315 affected families. A major contribution came from Aboitiz InfraCapital Water (AIC Water), which provided 72,000 liters sourced from its Mactan Economic Zone 2 (MEZ2) Estate desalination plant in Lapu-Lapu City. Capable of producing five million liters of potable water daily, the facility ensured that families in San Remigio and Lapu-Lapu had access to clean drinking water at a critical time.
Other units — including Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation, Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines (CCEAP), Aboitiz Land and its Economic Estates, CitySavings Bank and AboitizPower units Visayan Electric and Therma Visayas — also worked with local governments to bring aid swiftly to the hardest-hit areas.
In Davao, relief teams delivered 67,100 liters of water to communities in Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro and Davao del Norte. Spearheaded by Apo Agua, CitySavings Bank, AboitizPower and its distribution utility, Davao Light, the operation ensured families had immediate access to clean water through tankers, bottled supplies, and large-capacity containers.
“Water is life. In the aftermath of disasters, ensuring that families have safe water to drink and use is the first step toward recovery. This is why we prioritize water distribution as a cornerstone of our relief operations,” said Sabin Aboitiz, chairman of Aboitiz Foundation.
Restoring stability through power
While urgent water needs were being addressed, the Aboitiz Group also worked in parallel to restore electricity supply. AboitizPower’s Therma Visayas Inc. worked quickly to return its two generating units to service after safety inspections. Unit 2 resumed on 2 October, while Unit 1 synchronized on 4 October — a full day ahead of schedule.
With both units operational, the Visayas grid regained stability, providing steady electricity to hospitals, businesses, and households still reeling from the disaster.
Volunteers at the heart of relief
As water flowed and power returned, over 300 Aboitiz team members brought another lifeline — human compassion. Despite many being earthquake victims themselves, they volunteered to sort, pack, and distribute relief goods in Cebu and Davao.
“The response of our volunteers reflects the best of who we are as OneAboitiz — people who care, who act, and who stand together when it matters most,” said Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, president of Aboitiz Foundation.
Volunteers represented nearly every corner of Aboitiz Group, from Aboitiz Equity Ventures, AboitizPower, Visayan Electric, UnionBank, CitySavings, AboitizFoods, CCEAP, Aboitiz InfraCapital and its subsidiaries, AIC Water, Aboitiz Land, Aboitiz Economic Estates, Aboitiz Construction, Unity Digital Infrastructure, Davao Light, and Apo Agua.
Relief was also supported by trusted partners such as Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., the Philippine Red Cross Cebu Chapter, the Philippine Coast Guard and Auxiliary, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry-Lapu-Lapu City.
Long-term recovery and rebuilding
Relief efforts delivered immediate comfort — food packs, non-food essentials, water filters and shelter materials — valued at over P5.6 million — for Cebu and Davao combined. But the Aboitiz Foundation is already looking further ahead.
In Cebu, the Foundation has begun preparing programs for a sustainable infrastructure that will help families rebuild their homes. This initiative goes beyond short-term aid, aiming to provide resilient housing solutions that restore not only shelter, but also dignity and hope for the future.
OneAboitiz spirit in action
From delivering safe water to restoring electricity, from mobilizing volunteers to planning sustainable housing, the Aboitiz Group has shown what it means to live out the OneAboitiz spirit: different companies, one united mission.
In every liter of water delivered, every power line restored, every food pack handed out, and every home rebuilt, OneAboitiz reaffirms its commitment to stand with Filipinos in their hardest times — proving that together, hope flows even in the hardest times.
