IN the face of the great damage that Severe Tropical Storm (STS) "Kristine" (international name: "Trami") brought to the Bicol Region, BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) 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 in Camarines Sur encompassed the municipalities of Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula, Nabua and Iriga City.

According to Romeo de Vera III, senior assistant vice president (SAVP) and area head of Region 6 - Southern Luzon, the BDO branch in Iriga City was the only bank that remained accessible to clients needing cash on October 24 when the rest were unavailable.

He explained that to ensure uninterrupted service to their clients even during calamities, BDO strategically deployed personnel and resources where needed most, as some branches would have to close due to flooding and other challenges.

He stressed, however, that BDO prioritized its personnel's welfare first, especially during challenging situations such as these.

"That's always been our practice during calamities: after securing our respective homes and families, our personnel would head to the branches to help get these up and running; ready to serve our clients," de Vera said.

All in a day's work

For the BDO SAVP and area head, it was business as usual even during the STS or typhoon season.

"As long as the roads are passable, we go and help out where we are needed. But we only ask employees who can report for work and are not adversely affected by the flood," de Vera pointed out.

He also proudly shared that resilience was one of the many positive traits of Bicolanos such as himself.

"When it comes to calamities, Bicolanos are resilient. It's just a typhoon. But this (STS 'Kristine') was our strongest in 30 years. We were surprised by the magnitude of the ensuing floods," de Vera admitted. "But here in BDO, it's nothing new. Like we always say here, 'we find ways.' That's why our clients are [very] happy with us; even clients from other banks can still withdraw using our ATMs (automated teller machines)."

He also noted that the bank's, "We find ways," philosophy extends not only to the level of service it provides to its clients but also to the support it offers to fellow employees, especially during trying times.

He explained that this came to the fore when personnel from other branches were unable to go home because of the floods.

"One branch manager took [into] her home one of the staff [members], who got stranded and [was] unable to go home because of the flood. The same is true for personnel in our Camarines Sur - Nabua branch, who is still there. We also would like to thank our security division for facilitating the delivery of relief goods to them," de Vera said.