Nurture Village, a wellness facility located in Tagaytay City, was among the casualties when Typhoon Glenda barreled into the city last July.
Total damage to the business was estimated at Php 10 million.
Immediately after the storm, owner and founder Cathy Brillantes Turvill and her staff rolled up their sleeves to do massive clearing, cleaning and repairing. It was the Filipino bayanihan spirit at its best.
In three days, the business or half of it began to open for business. Half was closed to repair the damaged buildings.
Money was borrowed from the bank to support reconstruction, as insurance payments were being awaited.
Here’s how they rebuilt, in their own words, in an interview with Philippine Daily Inquirer.
“As business owners, we felt it vital to continue to give income to our staff. We tried our best to bring the business back to life and pay our staff to fix the fences, repair the buildings etc. Waiters became laborers, cooks became cleaners, room boys became construction workers—anything to provide income they needed to feed their families,” she said.
From their experience of being ravaged by the storm, surviving it, and bouncing back from it, the Turvills distilled the following lessons they happily share to others who might be in the same situation:
- It is imperative for all businesses to have insurance coverage to protect their business from natural calamities—typhoon, earthquake etc. Business interruption insurance is likewise important. Make a budget for this. Work only with bigger and reputable companies.
- When dealing with insurance companies, be a careful and informed consumer. Know the types of coverage and ensure you are getting complete and full coverage. Know your rights as well as the terms and conditions of the insurance you are buying. Example, do you know that damage to electrical equipment (computers, etc.) is not covered by typhoon insurance? It falls under EEI (electrical, electronic insurance) coverage. If you don’t have EEI, your insurance company will not pay for damage to your computers by the rains/typhoon. Be prepared for voluminous documentation required by adjusters hired by the insurance company.
- Have emergency funds to tide you over while waiting for the insurance company to pay.
- Have good relationships with suppliers as they can be your key source of help when you need to repair damaged [property].”
Adapted from: business.inquirer.net
Photo: From: beeconomic.com.ph/