Tyre makers donate to Philippines aid

Two tyre makers have both pledged aid to support relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan on 8 November, and a third is contributing to aid efforts following the earthquake there three weeks earlier.

Bridgestone Corporation will donate ¥10 million (£62,500) to assist through the Japanese Red Cross Society while its Asia Pacific regional headquarters, Bridgestone Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. will give S$50,000 (£25,000) to support relief efforts through the Singapore Red Cross Society. Upon announcing these measures, the tyre maker stated “on behalf of the entire Bridgestone Group, our hope is for a swift recovery of the people and the areas impacted by this devastating natural disaster.”

Continental is making an ad-hoc donation of US$200,000 and says this money will be used to help the Philippines get back on its feet. “Continental has long felt a strong attachment to the country and its committed people. Fortunately, our own plants were not hit by the typhoon and its horribly destructive clout.  The people in the devastated areas are, however, desperately in need of our help,” declared Continental CEO Elmar Degenhart. “Together with colleagues on site, we have selected Welthungerhilfe as recipient organisation as it will direct its involvement mainly at rural areas that have to endure difficult logistic conditions.”

Many Continental employees are also lending a hand as volunteer helpers in local organisations such as the Philippine Red Cross. The company has also cancelled its Christmas celebrations planned for Continental locations in the Philippines this year and will contribute the money allotted for these as donations in support of immediate relief measures.

While news of Typhoon Haiyan’s devastation has dominated the news this past week, it shouldn’t be forgotten that it is only a month since an earthquake killed 222 people in the country’s Central Visayas region and damaged or destroyed more than 73,000 buildings. Yokohama Rubber hasn’t, and earlier in the month the company announced it had joined together with its two Philippine subsidiaries, Yokohama Tire Philippines, Inc. and Yokohama Tire Sales Philippines, Inc., to make a donation of P800,000 (£11,400) to the Philippine Red Cross in support of the relief agency’s efforts to assist victims of the 15 October earthquake. In addition to the Red Cross donation, Yokohama Tire Philippines held a donation drive from 29 October to 8 November to accept cash donations and pledges from employees. These contributions will also be handed over to the Philippines Red Cross.