MANILA, Philippines – Corporations continue to extend aid to calamity-stricken areas in the Visayas.

The SM Group of companies vowed to raise P100 million for a calamity fund for Tacloban, Ormoc, Samar, Bohol, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz and Bicol, which were ravaged by the strong earthquake and Super Typhoon Yolanda.

Gladiz May Latiza of SM City Marilao said the calamity fund will be used to rebuild homes, community centers, schools and churches and for relief operations.

Latiza said Operation Tulong Express is now accepting relief goods and cash donations through its accounts in BDO and Chinabank.

The SM Foundation is taking the lead in relief efforts. It has sent out thousands of relief packages consisting of bottles of mineral water, rice, ready-to-eat food and instant noodles to affected communities in the Visayas.

The Robinsons Malls, on the other hand, will launch this week “The Christmas Tree of Hope” to raise more funds for typhoon victims.

“Several colorful trees will be displayed in Robinsons malls and our customers are invited to buy Christmas balls, proceeds of which will go to Serviam Foundation,” said Arlene Magtibay, Robinsons Land Corp.’s general manager for commercial centers division.

The Robinsons Malls’ “The Gift of Change” donation drive is in full swing in Leyte, Northern Cebu, Roxas and Iloilo. Thousands of relief bags containing canned goods, rice, water and hygiene kits have been dispatched and volunteers who will assist in distribution have been deployed.

For its part, Megaworld Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of leading property developer Megaworld Corp., turned over P1 million to ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya for relief efforts in typhoon-ravaged areas.