Otsuka Pharmaceuticals Reaches Out to Typhoon Ondoy Calamity Victims

Otsuka Pharmaceuticals (Philippines), Inc., the pharmaceutical company responsible for bringing Pocari Sweat health drink to the Philippines, responded to the needs of fellow Filipinos who were affected by the devastating Typhoon Ondoy.

The company partnered with two organizations to help farm out the assistance from Pocari Sweat.

1,200 pieces of Pocari Sweat 330mL cans were donated through ABS-CBN's Sagip Kapamilya Foundation.  Below are some photos taken during the donation activity.  The bayanihan spirit is shown as the ABS-CBN volunteers form a human chain to transport the donation to the warehouse as well as some employees help with the packing of goods for the typhoon victims.

Otsuka also donated 1,200 cans of Pocari Sweat and 1,000 bottles of IV fluids to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to be distributed to the victims of Typhoon Ondoy.

This photo shows the management team of Otsuka headed by its president and general manager Leopoldo T. Dimerin (center) handing the donation to DSWD regional director Thelesea Biolena.

Pocari Sweat is a health drink that replenishes water and electrolytes in the body.  Pocari Sweat will be helpful to the victims as it is most suitable for people going through dehydration.  Aside from water, Pocari Sweat also contains electrolyte minerals such as Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, and most notably, Calcium, which the leading isotonic beverage does not have.  Drinking water alone is not enough because these electrolytes should be replenished to prevent spontaneous dehydration.

Otsuka Promotes Environmental Protection through ‘Adopt a Hectare’

Holding true to its commitment of making a positive difference in the lives of Filipinos, Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OPPI) recently initiated an environmental project in collaboration with ABS-CBN’s Bantay Kalikasan, called “Adopt a Hectare”.  The fund donated by OPPI will be used to finance the expenses to maintain one hectare in three years, which includes securing the perimeter from squatters, and to finance the caretaker of the area who takes care of the trees planted.

Employees were also one with the companies' vision as they trooped to the site to show support for the project.  They participated during the ceremonial tree planting activity to symbolize the launch of the commitment. 

‘Adopt a Hectare’ is another milestone added to the numerous CSR projects undertaken by Otsuka.  “We have done projects like helping street children, bloodletting, and sponsoring the education of underprivileged kids.  Now, we feel that this is the better time to do something for the environment, and this is the perfect venue for us,” shared Pol Dimerin, president of OPPI. 

The La Mesa Watershed is the last forest of its size in the metropolis.  The concentric expansion of human population in Metro Manila affected the forest.  The inadequacy of watershed protection led to the former natural forest’s cover to dwindle. 

Bantay Kalikasan of the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. started a reforestation program in the 2,700-hectare La Mesa Watershed in 1999.  By rehabilitating and managing the La Mesa watershed as a nature park, the following values would be enhanced: a) watershed protection, b) education, c) recreation-aesthetics, d) wildlife, e) research, to name a few. 

“This partnership with Bantay Kalikasan does not only help address the environment concerns we are currently facing.  This is more than planting new trees at the site.  The sustainability of the project is a factor that needs to be highlighted,” Mr. Dimerin explained.

He added, “Otsuka’s promise is to improve the quality of life of its community.  We are already seeing the effects when we take advantage of the environment and through the ‘Adopt a Hectare,’ we hope to educate the public and generate awareness on what should be done so that future generation can still enjoy Mother Earth’s beauty and gifts to men.” 

OPPI is one of Japan’s most reputable pharmaceutical companies that have an established operation in the Philippines for more than a decade now.  Through the years, they have provided Filipinos quality pharmaceutical products that address health concerns such as stroke, hepatic encephalopathy, and nutritional supplement for liver failure.  The continuous growth of Otsuka in the country is the catalyst to the expansion of their business in the local market.