TOKYO (Nov. 11, 2013) — Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., has joined with its two Philippine subsidiaries — Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. (YTPI) and Yokohama Tire Sales Philippines Inc. (YTSP) — to make a donation to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in support of the agency's efforts to assist victims of the devastating earthquake that struck the central Philippines on Oct. 15.
Yokohama said the funds—a little over $19,000 (about 1.9 million yen)—were presented by YTPI Executive Vice President and YTSP President Masahiro Yuki to PRC Chairman Richard Gordon at the PRC's Manila headquarters on Nov. 5.
The Philippine's government estimated the 7.2 magnitude quake with epicenter on Bohol Island killed 218 people and injured another 768. In addition to the Red Cross donation, YTPI held a donation drive from Oct. 29 to Nov. 8 to accept cash donations and pledges from YTPI employees. These contributions will also be handed over to the PRC.
Yokohama Rubber Group said that in keeping with its "commitment to being a responsible corporate member of the wider society and communities in which it operates, YTPI has been an active supporter of past disaster relief activities in the Philippines." In September 2009, when Typhoon Ketsana struck Luzon Island causing flooding and other major damage in Metropolitan Manila, YTPI helped provide food to typhoon victims through cooperation with the Philippine army and the Clark Development Corp., the administrator of the Clark Special Economic Zone that is home to YTPI's factory. YTPI employees also distributed other items to evacuees from landslides that hit the Arayat residential district not far from YTPI's factory.