Nitori Chairman Akio Nitori and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos led the distribution of P7.5 million worth of in-kind donations to some 1,000 families in Malapatan, Sarangani who were affected by the recent earthquake.
The affected residents received P7.5 million worth of material donations in the form of about 8,000 high-quality Nitori beddings, blankets, pillow sheets, plasticware, and other household essentials.
More than 3,500 sets of said Nitori products will also be distributed across Mindanao, specifically in the municipalities of Glan, Alabel, Maasim, Polomolok, and Jose Abad Santos.
The donations from Nitori aim to help the affected families to rebuild and recuperate from the damages brought by the earthquake.
“We hope that our assistance will give a sense of comfort and hope as you continue moving forward.”
“Today we are here with a sincere desire to offer support and encouragement. We hope that our assistance will give a sense of comfort and hope as you continue moving forward,” Nitori said in Japanese.
According to Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay, the donation from the Japanese chain came about when she showed the Nitori Chairman a video of Filipino students responding to the sudden earthquake.
“Malalim ang naging epekto nito kay Mr. Nitori. What he saw was not simply a disaster. He saw courage,” Angara-Mathay said.
“Behind every disaster are people who possess the strength to recover, rebuild, and move forward.”
“Because behind every disaster are people who possess the strength to recover, rebuild, and move forward. Kapag naapektuhan ang isang komunidad, hindi nawawala ang tapang, pagkakaisa, at kakayahan nitong bumangon,” the tourism chief added.
It was during one of the meetings attended by the tourism head, the First Lady, and major property developers in the country that Nitori pledged the said donation.
“Ito ang tunay na malasakit. This is the common thread that connects the First Couple, the Kapuso Foundation, and Mr. Nitori: compassion that becomes action; concern that becomes assistance; and success that becomes a responsibility to help others…Ang malasakit ay hindi lamang katangian ng mga Pilipino. Ito ay katangian ng tao,” she stressed.
“We have also seen the compassion and leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, including through initiatives such as Lab for All, which brings essential services closer to communities that need them most. These efforts remind us that compassion must be organized. It must be translated into action. It must reach people where they are,” Angra-Mathay added.
Nitori, one of Japan’s leading home furnishing retailers, coursed the donations through the GMA Kapuso Foundation.
