San Miguel Corporation (SMC) said its president and CEO Ramon Ang has given P10 million to the families of the five men who were killed while conducting rescue operations in Bulacan during Typhoon Karding.
According to SMC, Ang provided P2 million each to the families of Troy Agustin, George Agustin, Marby Bartolome, Jerson Resurreccion, and Narciso Calayag Jr., and offered them business start-up packages.
The five rescuers were killed in a flash flood in Barangay Camias in San Miguel, Bulacan. Authorities said the five men perished after they were hit by a wall that collapsed.
“I join fellow Filipinos in thanking our brave rescuers for their heroism. My hope is that their families will get to see how much we all appreciate them,” Ang, in a statement said.
“They inspire us to do selfless deeds in our everyday lives. Their ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty will not be forgotten,” the executive added.
Ang further said he joins millions of Filipinos “who will forever be grateful for their bravery and sacrifice and dedication to duty.”
He met and condoled with the families of the five men, who were all members of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO).
Ang also personally handed the checks and offered business start-up packages to the family
representatives of the fallen rescuers during the meeting attended by Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando and Bulacan 4th District Rep. Lorna Silverio at the SMC headquarters.
The families of the fallen rescuers expressed gratitude to Ang.
“Sobrang pasasalamat po. Hindi po namin ine-expect po ito at sobra-sobra po itong natanggap namin mula kay RSA. Bata pa po ang mga anak namin kaya mahaba-haba pa po ang tatakbuhin,” said Jessa Agustin, wife of Troy.
Minhah Bartolome, wife of Marby, said: “Malaking pasalamat po para sa tulong na ilalaan ko para sa aming mga anak. Hindi naman po naming inaasahan ito na bibigyan po kami ni Mr. Ang kaya’t napakalaking pasasalamat po sa kanya.”
“Wala po kaming masabi kundi thank you. Nakakagulat po yung tulong na ibinigay sa amin ni Mr. Ang. Napakabukas palad nya na tao, wala po kaming masabi. Sa kanya po parang maliit na halaga lang ito pero para sa amin ay napakalaking tulong po ito,”said Michelle Resurreccion, wife of Jerson.
Under SMC’s Community Reselling Program, the families of the five rescuers will each receive a freezer and an initial inventory of assorted Purefoods refrigerated meat and other branded products.
“No amount of money can pay for the sacrifices made by our five heroes, but I am hopeful that the assistance would help ease the burden of their families during this difficult time and allow them to start over again,” Ang said.
In 2017, SMC also extended P330 million worth of business startup packages to the families of 166 families of soldiers and policemen who were killed in action in the Marawi siege.