The Humanitarian Action (HA) Cluster was organized by the Lopez Group Foundation (LGFI) in 2020 to consolidate the humanitarian and relief operations of the Lopez Group. Its member companies include FPH-FGEN, EDC and ABS-CBN Foundation. The HA Cluster’s technical adviser is EDC’s Emergency Management Expert, Dr. Ted Esguerra.
HA Cluster’s first objective was to strengthen its internal network among the Lopez Companies for disaster relief operations. It conducted a relief operation which involved three companies in different work sites after the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly in December 2020. The participating companies were able to distribute relief goods and materials to 3,240 families in Sorsogon, Albay and Lobo Batangas.
In 2021, the HA Cluster focused on the module development and pilot run of its Humanitarian Emergency Assistance and Response Training (HEART). HEART is a five-day hybrid training conducted by EDC. For its pilot run, the HA Cluster partnered with the Archdiocese of Lipa and its Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Commission, Inc. (LASAC). The four-day online sessions were completed in 2021. The partnership was made possible through the community network of FGEN Batangas.
After months of delay due to the COVID-19 situation, the HA Cluster was able to conduct the 5th day of its HEART Training last March 16. Thirty LASAC personnel and community volunteer responders completed the five-day hybrid course. The HA Cluster anticipates the re-run of the HEART Training for other community responders in the area.
