Businesses showed they were quick to implement measures that would curb the spread of the new corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
A media intelligence and insight specialist, meanwhile, cited private entities in handling the public’s concerns over COVID-19.
Over the weekend, Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital openly admitted to housing the reported first local infection of COVID-19.
This was followed by the admission by the global business advisory group, Deloitte Philippines, that one of their employees tested positive of COVID-19.
“Deloitte Philippines continues to comply with the instructions and directions from the Department of Health. All necessary actions were promptly taken to inform those who might have come into contact with the colleague for the appropriate checks and provide any possible form of support. We continue to monitor and manage the COVID-19 situation in order to respond as necessary,” it said in a statement..
Immediately following Deloitte’s announcement, Neo Office Ph closed its Six/NEO building where the Deloitte office is located for a “thorough disinfection.”
NEO also said the lifts and lobbies of all other NEO building will also be disinfected.
Bonifacio Global City (BGC) where Neo Office Ph is located also issued a statement saying it was closely working with the management of the building, the Department of Health and the city government of Taguig to ensure all protocols are followed to manage the situation.
BGC added frequent sanitation and disinfection of BGC malls and buildings. Temperature checks in entrances are being implemented.
Isentia last Friday cited private firms Watsons Philippines, Adventist Medical Center Manila, De La Salle University and Cebu Pacific Air in their efforts to inform the public about the impact of COVID-19 online.
They join the Philippine National Red Cross in the list of the “Most Reputable Brands in the Philippines fighting the COVID-19.”
The study was done using six weeks’ worth of data harvested and processed from more than 9,000 Philippines-based public social media channels.
Isentia said the posts were tagged into three reputation pillars and 15 sub-attributes through machine learning, contextual assessments and qualitative deep dives.
“The reputation rankings report uncovers how the netizens in the Philippines perceive brands across strategy, culture, delivery — the three pillars of Isentia’s Reputation Framework,” it said.
Isentia said The Philippine Red Cross topped the list of most reputable companies, followed by Watsons Philippines, Adventist Medical Center Manila and De La Salle University at second, third and fourth ranks, respectively.
Isentia said Red Cross “kept the public informed of developments and updates on COVID-19, with news channels cascading information from the agency in reports shared on social media.”
Watsons Philippines meanwhile “leveraged well on its digital presence and campaigned for preventive and precautionary measures against the spread of virus, particularly the availability of surgical masks as the country faced concerns on supply,” Isentia said.
“Hospitals — both private and public — were on top of the situation as they ensured protocols and monitored developing cases within their respective premises. The Adventist Medical Center bested others as it readily addressed and clarified that there was no patient affected with COVID-19 admitted in their unit. Other hospital in the same favorable standing were East Avenue Medical Center, Pasig General Hospital, Makati Medical Center, The Medical City, and Asian Hospital,” it added.
Isentia noted De La Salle University’s proactive approach, ensuring safety measures such as temperature checks, travel restrictions of faculty and staff, and preparations of possible class suspensions. The university kept its community informed of updates and developments on the discussions on COVID-19.
Isentia also said despite the cancellations of flights, especially the Manila-Taipei flights following the inclusion of Taiwan in the travel ban amid theCOVID-19 infection, Cebu Pacific Air secured a spot among reputable brands through its “consistent delivery of messages and advisories through online and offline platform were appreciated by its customers.”
It said government agencies are honorable mentions in the ranking being the first line agents in addressing concerns on the spread of the virus.
“Honorable mentions were given to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Transportation as travel-related discussions on repatriation of OFWs proliferated. Other agencies mentioned included Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government and the Department of Tourism,” it said.
