The Philippines is no stranger to typhoons, with an average of 20 tropical storms visiting the country every year.
Being situated on a part of the Pacific Ocean known as the “Typhoon Alley,” a typhoon-prone belt, it may be a misfortune of some sort for this archipelagic nation. But still, despite the hardships, the country and its citizens continue to adapt with a high level of resiliency and courage.
Last year, on top of dealing with the pandemic, the Philippines was hit by Super Typhoon “Goni” (locally known as Typhoon “Rolly), last year’s most powerful tropical cyclone in the world. This beast of a weather disturbance ploughed through Luzon and affected 2.7 million people, displaced 31,000 and damaged or destroyed 281,000 homes. Sanitation and hygiene became immediate concerns in the aftermath of the storm, with essential water infrastructure usually damaged.
For West Point Engineering Supplies Incorporated, a company that provides specialized products and solutions to essential infrastructures in the Philippines, such as water, energy and meteorology, speed and efficiency is essential in installing and maintaining specialized equipment like weather radars, which can save lives and homes.
Among its list of projects is a 10-year program with the weather information services company, Earth Networks, and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the state weather bureau. They’ll collaborate to use weather monitoring sensors that provide earlier warnings for tropical storms.
That’s why the recent expansion of United Parcel Service (UPS), a global package delivery and supply chain management company, and its Worldwide Express Freight (WWEF) shipment service to more postal codes in the Philippines came as welcome news to West Point Engineering, a long-time UPS customer.
Businesses like West Point Engineering will benefit from time-guaranteed palletized shipments above 70 kilograms to more areas in Bulacan, Mabalacat, Angeles City, Laguna and Batangas, allowing businesses to easily and quickly replenish bulk inventories. This helps customers meet urgent, sometimes life-saving, delivery requirements.
“We have been a partner of UPS for over seven years,” said Dennis Ziganay, president and CEO of West Point Engineering. “Through this pandemic, we’ve been able to meet the demands of these challenging times … thanks to UPS.”
With businesses needing a more agile and precise process in responding to the needs of the market and its customers, accessibility is key in responding to natural disasters around the globe.
“Exporters, SMEs and long-time partners like West Point Engineering are important contributors to the local economy. As they grow and expand, we listen to their changing supply chain requirements and cater to their needs,” said Chris Buono, managing director of UPS Philippines and Indonesia.
“Whether it’s one of the several natural calamities that occurred in the Philippines or an ongoing pandemic, UPS is committed to delivering what matters for our customers as they bounce back from a difficult year,” Buono said.