You will not be seeing advertisements from a popular beverage brand for a while—and for good reason.



Coca-Cola Philippines has announced that it will be suspending all advertisements for all its brands via all media channels “from November 18 until further notice.”



“Any committed advertising space will be redirected to the relief and rebuilding efforts for the people in Visayas,” Coca-Cola’s statement on Tuesday read.



It was referring to rehabilitation operations the government and other organizations have launched in areas heavily affected by monster typhoon “Yolanda.”



About 4,000 have been confirmed dead in the aftermath of the storm, which is said to be the strongest to make landfall in the world’s recorded history.



Millions have also been displaced, especially in areas where the storm made landfall. Tacloban City, for instance, was flattened by storm sea surges from Yolanda.



Coca-Cola said the move intends to rechannel its capacity to “extend aid and demonstrate our commitment to uplift the lives of the people in the affected communities.”



The advertising money that will be saved through the effort adds to the funds Coca-Cola as a global company already vowed to give to Yolanda victims.



Coca-Cola earlier pledged $2.5 million in cash and in kind to help in relief efforts in stricken areas. $1 million will come from the company’s Philippine arm.



Another million, meanwhile, will be given by the Coca-Cola Foundation through the American National Red Cross. It has also donated bottled water valued at $590,000.



Coca-Cola added that it is working closely with government agencies, the Armed Forces and the Philippine Red Cross, which are on top of relief operations.



“We will make certain that the Coca-Cola system in the Philippines is mobilized to help however we can,” Coca-Cola said.











































