During the early weeks of the spread of COVID-19, a lot of countries experienced the lack of supply of personal protective equipment (PPEs) in medical institutions. Both public and private hospitals in the Philippines expressed their need by calling for donations of PPEs from private individuals and companies in early March and April. PPEs are basic necessities for any medical institution to protect nurses and doctors from acquiring and spreading the virus.

Through the initiative of the members of TOWNS Foundation, they’ve partnered with UP Medical Foundation (UPMF) to distribute PPEs to medical institutions nationwide. Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and The Coca-Cola Foundation in Atlanta support TOWNS and UPMF by funding a total of 145,282 PPEs to cater to 42,667 frontliners from 100+ hospitals from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

As of May 2020, TOWNS and UPMF have reached a total of 408 medical institutions nationwide with the help of their private and public partners.

TOWNS Foundation Inc. is the organization of Filipino women awarded for outstanding service in nation’s service. Composed of doctors, educators, civil servants, and women from different professions, they have led and utilized their resources for successful partnerships to deliver PPEs to hospitals in need.

UP Medical Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization which helps provide research grants, purchase equipment and supplies for basic science departments as well as improve and maintain the audiovisual capabilities of the UP College of Medicine. This time, they have helped in purchasing and acquiring PPEs amidst the global shortage during the pandemic.

TOWNS Foundation and UP Medical Foundation have also worked closely with different government agencies such as the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy, to help with logistics and inter-island transportation of PPEs.

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Part of this donation is under the Php150 Million commitment of Coca-Cola Philippines to fund COVID-19 Relief efforts supporting health workers, vulnerable communities, and small retailers nationwide.

Together, we can make a difference. #COVIDRelief #GoBeyondGood