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Grants
Enabling the enablers: Metrobank awards
P10-M grant to dev’t organizations
September 2008
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| Metrobank founder and Group chairman George S K Ty chats with Senator Loren Legarda, who served as guest speaker during the Metrobank 46th anniversary grants turnover ceremonies last September 5. |
To mark its 46th anniversary last September 5, 2008, the country’s biggest bank continues its tradition of sharing its blessings with the community, by partnering with development organizations in the country.
In ceremonies led by its founder and group chairman George S.K. Ty, Metrobank, through its corporate social responsibility arm, Metrobank Foundation, awarded a P10-million grant to 38 social development organizations in the country; thus, enabling them to carry on various programs to benefit the disadvantaged members of society.
“Metrobank’s grants exemplify the bank’s commitment to make a contribution to nation-building amid the economic crisis the country is facing,” Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto M. Sobrepeña said in his welcome remarks. “We are grateful to all our development partners, for allowing Metrobank and the Metrobank Foundation to journey together in making a difference in our country today.”
Promoting a wide range of advocacies – from cancer awareness and tuberculosis prevention, to early childhood education and sustainable architecture – this year’s batch of Metrobank’s development partners include the Philippine Tuberculosociety, Pink for Life Foundation, CRIBS Foundation, Inc., Philippine Jesuit Prison Service, Childhope Asia Philippines, Museo Pambata Foundation, Inc., Lingkod E.R. Foundation, Blessed Luis Guanella Center, Green Architecture Movement of the United Architects of the Philippines, Cartwheel Foundation, Filipino War Veterans Foundation, Inc., Philippine Leprosy Mission, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-Asia Pacific, to name a few.
Representatives and officers from these organizations attended the turnover ceremonies. Among them was Evelyn Lourdes “Luli” Arroyo, executive director of the Foundation for Information Technology Education and Development, Inc, which aims to help communities to harness information and communication technologies (ICTs) for learning, and consequently, economic and social development.
Also on hand to witness the event were Metrobank’s valued clients. ”The business that you bring allows Metrobank to continue with its social responsibility of caring to the least fortunate of society by delivering programs that reflect the Foundation’s core thrusts of improving the state of education, health care, arts, and social conditions in our country,” Mr. Sobrepeña said in his speech.
Metrobank also signed partnership agreements with the country’s top medical education institutions, the University of the Philippines Manila and the University of Sto. Tomas, for the establishment of Professorial Chairs in Medicine in both universities. This is made possible through the Doña Victoria Ty Tan Memorial Fund.
The event, which has been one of the highlights of Metrobank’s annual anniversary celebration, was graced by Senator Loren Legarda, who served as guest of honor. Metrobank also turned over financial assistance to the scholarship program of Legarda’s Libro ni Loren Foundation.
Some of the noteworthy projects that Metrobank supported, through the Metrobank Foundation, in the past years are the millennium partnership with the Philippine National Red Cross; partnerships with Tabang Mindanaw to build schools for Lumads; assistance to the UP-Open University for the publication of undergraduate on-line learning materials; partnership with the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. for the establishment of “Haven” – a center for street children; and the construction of the Textile Gallery at the National Museum. Metrobank was also the first bank that partnered with Gawad Kalinga (GK). The Foundation’s grant to pioneering house-building program for the poor enabled it to expand its livelihood and spiritual development components.
The Metrobank Foundation is the corporate social responsibly arm of the Metrobank Group of Companies. Over the last 28 years, it has promoted a culture of excellence among Filipinos through its various programs notably the Search for Outstanding Teachers, the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence, The Outstanding Philippine Soldier, Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service, the Metrobank Math Challenge, and College Scholarship Program. The Foundation also has a grants program that assists NGOs and government in the fields of education, healthcare, and the arts. Metrobank Foundation celebrates Filipino excellence and presents wellsprings of hope in the future of our nation.
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| Natasha Goulbourn Foundation chairperson Jeannie Guolbourn, Evelyn Lourdes “Luli” Arroyo, executive director of the Foundation for Information Technology Education and Development, Inc (FIT-ED), and Rosa Rosal of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) |
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| Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Marivic Rufino of the Philippine National Red Cross-Makati Branch, with Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña, Metrobank chairman Antonio Abacan, Jr., Julie Yap Daza, and Mr Ty |
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