DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Nov. 17 (PIA) -- The Gotianun-led FDC Misamis Power Corporation (FDC Misamis) has committed to vaccinate their over 400 employees and their families for free in line with the government’s national vaccination program.

President and CEO Juan Eugenio Roxas of Filinvest Development Corporation Utilities, Inc. said they are optimistic about their prospects for the rest of the year following the successful rollout of its employee vaccination program FilVax at its power plant site in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

Through the facilitation of the company, the Filinvest Group was able also to extend assistance to various local government units by donating 1,700 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines.

Dumaguete City as well as the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Camiguin have received some of the donated COVID-19 vaccines.

Apart from the vaccine donation, the power firm provided medical equipment and supplies, hygiene and disinfection materials, food packs, and installed handwashing facilities in strategic areas within its host barangays, said Roxas.

FDC Misamis is a subsidiary of FDC Utilities, Inc. (FDCUI), the Filinvest Group's utilities and infrastructure arm.

The firm runs a 405-megawatt thermal power plant within PHIVIDEC, making it a long-time and notable partner of local communities not only within Misamis Oriental but also to neighboring provinces.

Fully vaccinated employees include regular and project-based employees, contract workers, third-service providers, including drivers, messengers, utility workers, security guards, and community partners.

FilVax also accommodated the family members of employees, some staff of PHIVIDEC Industrial Authority, and scholars from the Andrew L. Gotianun Sr. Center for Integrated Technologies of Xavier University.

"With the 100% inoculation of our workforce, we further strengthen our capabilities to deliver reliable electricity continuously, which our customers require the most. Our power facility is ready to take on the surge in demand as Mindanao revives its economy. We foresee closing 2021 with robust performance," said Roxas. 

"FDC Misamis understands the importance of enhancing the capabilities of its stakeholders. Its numerous collaborations with the various local government units gave added coverage, protection, and assurance which ultimately helped keep the number of cases at bay in these areas," he added. 

The company’s partnerships with the local government units demonstrate that cooperation and coordination between private and government sectors pave the way to overcome challenges and achieve common integrated goals.

"This pandemic may linger on for a while, but a solution pinned on unity and action-driven approach is a guaranteed way to get through it," said Roxas.

Last August, the Filinvest Group officially launched the FilVax program in Metro Manila and was eventually extended to various subsidiaries nationwide.

Filinvest assures that as the country recovers from the pandemic, it will continue to look for ways to keep stakeholders safe and healthy. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from FDC)