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| The only one. BDO branch in Iriga City was the only bank in the whole Rinconada District in Camarines Sur to remain online during Tropical Storm Kristine’s surge. |
IN the face of great damage brought by Tropical Storm Kristine to the Bicol Region, BDO Unibank remained online within the Rinconada District to serve the community’s cash requirements at a dire time when people needed access to their funds.
The Rinconada District encompasses the municipalities of Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula, Nabua, and Iriga City.
According to Romeo R. De Vera III, Senior Assistant Vice President and Area Head of Region 6-Southern Luzon, the BDO branch in Iriga City remained open to clients in need of cash on October 24, when the rest were not available.
De Vera explained that to ensure uninterrupted service to their clients even during calamities, they strategically deployed personnel and resources where they were needed the most, as some branches had to close due to floods and other challenges. He also stressed that BDO prioritized the welfare of its personnel, especially during these challenging situations. "That's always been our practice during calamities—after securing our respective homes and families, our personnel then headed to the branches to help get these up and running, ready to serve our clients.”
All in a day's work
For De Vera, it's business as usual even in the face of typhoons.
"For us, as long as the roads are passable, we went and help out where we were needed. But we only asked employees who were able to report for work and not adversely affected by the flood,” he pointed out.
He also proudly shared that resilience is one of the many positive traits of Bicolanos like him.
"When it comes to calamities, Bicolanos are resilient. It's just a typhoon. But this (Tropical Storm Kristine) was the strongest we've had in 30 years. We were surprised by the magnitude of the ensuing floods," he admitted. "But here in BDO, it's nothing new. Like we always say here, ‘we find ways.’ That's why our clients are so happy with us, as even clients from other banks were able to withdraw using our ATMs."
He also noted the bank’s “We find ways” philosophy extend not only to the level of service they provide to their clients, but also to the support they offer to fellow employees especially amid trying times.
This, De Vera explained, came to fore when personnel from other branches were unable to go home because of the floods.
"A branch manager opened her home to one of the staff who got stranded and was unable to go home because of the flood. The same was true for personnel in our Camarines Sur-Nabua Branch, who were stranded there. We also would like to thank our Security Division for facilitating the delivery of relief goods," he said.
