The “City of Marawi” is considered as one of the beautiful place to visit in Mindanao with cool weather, rolling hills and valleys dominating the city’s landscape. Until May of this year, it went under siege with terrorist ruining the entire land and whatever left in the city. After five long months of battle between soldiers and terrorist, it ended leaving the City a scar of devastation and lives of citizens of Marawi were shattered beyond recognition.
Despite of this catastrophe, we are still happy to announced that Korean car maker Hyundai, which represented by Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc—the official distributor of Hyundai passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the country—has announced and vows to support a financial aid amounting P100-million fund in restoring whatever the city has lost.
Together with its 42 dealers, the company pledged their Manifesto of Support to Marawi City responding to the call for economic and inclusive development, and declaring their steadfast commitment to nation-building. The pledge was borne out of a concerted initiative from its dealers and affiliates, recognizing the assistance needed for Mindanao. Focused on infrastructure, education, and livelihood, the fund aims to support the government’s long-term programs to rebuild the city reeling from the impact of disaster and warfare. This will also serve as the seed fund to kickstart more donations in the coming year.
Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, HARI President and CEO, said, “More than rehabilitation, we are dedicated to empower Marawi. It is only vital that we educate the youth, enable women of their potential, and more importantly, equip a community to be resilient in the face of challenges. Hyundai is one with the government in this vision, and we look forward to this partnership in the years ahead.”
“There is no better way to end the year than this – that our growth as a company will result in helping communities and rebuilding lives. We are encouraged by the Filipinos’ trust in us, and this drives us further not only as a business but also a partner in the country’s path to progress,” adds Agudo.
The fund aims to address one of Marawi’s urgent needs—rebuilding schools and enlisting new scholars. Moreover, Hyundai will carry out programs for women to pursue livelihoods as well as personal upliftment. The drive for aid and recovery has always been at the heart of Hyundai. Through its corporate social responsibility arm, HARI Foundation, the company donated P50 million for Yolanda relief and rehabilitation efforts in Leyte, Iloilo, and Cebu in 2013. Its dealerships all over the country managed to raise funds in aid of provinces struck by the super typhoon.
At present, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc is the first car manufacturer in the country that extend support to build City of Marawi. Good job Hyundai PH! We salute you!